Objectives:

To compare the safety and clinical efficacy of full-endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (FE-LIF) and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF).

Methods:

A total of 70 patients with single-level lumbar degenerative diseases underwent FE-LIF or MIS-TLIF with a tubular retractor system from August 2018 to August 2020. Postoperatively, the efficacy and safety were compared using several clinical and radiological indices.

Results:

Totally 32 patients underwent FE-LIF, 38 received MIS-TLIF with a tubular retractor system, and all patients had no apparent complications. The FE-LIF group had higher radiation exposure, longer operation time, and less bleeding than the MIS-TLIF group (P < 0.05). Postoperative lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the nerve decompression was sufficient. The pain in the lower back and legs was significantly relieved, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score was greatly improved after surgery (P < 0.01) in both groups. The sensory and motor functions of nerve roots were remarkably recovered in both groups at 1-year follow-up (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in MacNab scores between the two groups. According to Mannion's fusion classification, the interbody fusion rate was significantly better in the FE-LIF group than in the MIS-TLIF group.

Conclusions:

FE-LIF, which is safe, effective, and minimally invasive, exhibits the same clinical efficacy as MIS-TLIF but with longer operation time and increased radiation exposure.