Background:

There are many types of minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion procedures. Among them is the recently introduced biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion surgery. Biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) might combine the advantages of minimally invasive TLIF and endoscopic spine approaches. However, clinical evidence in support of biportal endoscopic TLIF remains insufficient.

Methods:

A comprehensive review of English-language literature on biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion was performed. Articles on biportal endoscopic TLIF in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched using the terms “unilateral biportal endoscopy,” “biportal endoscopic spine surgery,” “transforaminal,” and “lumbar interbody fusion” as well as their combinations. The clinical and radiological outcomes of biportal endoscopic TLIF were analyzed and are summarized here. The biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion surgical techniques are then described.

Results:

There are 3 biportal endoscopic TLIF techniques. In the available literature, the postoperative 1-year outcomes of biportal endoscopic TLIF were comparable to those of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and minimally invasive (MIS)-TLIF. Clinical parameters were significantly improved after biportal endoscopic TLIF. Compared to PLIF or MIS-TLIF, biportal endoscopic-TLIF may have the advantage of a faster recovery. Biportal endoscopic TLIF showed no inferiority in fusion rates compared to PLIF or MIS-TLIF. The postoperative complications were usually minor.

Conclusions:

The postoperative 1-year clinical and radiological outcomes of biportal endoscopic TLIF were favorable compared to those of PLIF and MIS-TLIF. However, long-term outcomes should be investigated through prospective, randomized controlled trials in the future.

Clinical relevance:

This review article outlines the most current evidence-based medicine with regard to spinal surgery with an aim to introduce a new technique.