Minimal access surgery has revolutionized most surgical disciplines and spine surgery is no exception. Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) was devised to reduce the approach-related morbidity of open TLIF and has flourished in the last decade. With expanding indications, standardization of technique and equipment, publication of more studies on its results and complications being brought to light – an update of the existing knowledge on MI-TLIF is imminent. We provide a review of the indications, technique, results and complications of MI-TLIF while also highlighting its variations and utility in special situations.

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