동국대학교 의과대학 정형외과학교실
Minimally invasive TLIF has been reported to be a useful treatment option for the patients with various degenerative lumbar diseases. Many studies have reported the favorable clinical results of MIS TLIF. However it remains technically demanding, leading to higher complication rates and longer operative times during the early period of the learning curve. It showed some potential complications due to small working space and visual field. In this study, authors tried to find out various possible complications and some tips avoiding these complications through the review of various articles and authors’ clinical experiences. In many studies, the general complication fusion rates of MIS TLIF have been reported to be similar to that of open fusion. The technical difficulty of the procedure, combined with inadequate training, is evident in initial studies of MIS TLIF. A difficult learning curve of MIS TLIF demands that surgeons have sufficient preclinical training, and education is obtained before the application of MIS TLIF in clinical practice.
