Clinical Observation of Biportal Endoscopic-Lumbar Interbody Fusion in the Treatment of Lumbar Degenerative Disease.

Abstract

This retrospective study investigates the clinical efficacy of biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (BE-LIF) versus minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) for lumbar degenerative diseases. Seventy-six patients were included. Various clinical efficacy indicators were collected and compared between the 2 groups. To investigate the clinical efficacy of BE-LIF in treating lumbar degenerative diseases. MIS-TLIF is a benchmark procedure for minimally invasive decompression, fixation, and fusion. With advancements in endoscopic surgery, the biportal endoscopic technique has been applied to lumbar interbody fusion, demonstrating favorable clinical outcomes. Seventy-six patients were included: 36 in the BE-LIF group and 40 in the MIS-TLIF group. Operation time, postoperative drainage volume, time to ambulation, analgesic drug dosage and duration, and complication rates were compared. Clinical efficacy was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at different postoperative time points. Interbody fusion rates were evaluated at 1 year using the Brantigan criteria. All patients completed successfully underwent surgery. The BE-LIF group had a significantly longer operation time (P<0.05) but demonstrated significantly less postoperative drainage volume, reduced analgesic drug dosage and duration, and earlier ambulation compared with the MIS-TLIF group (P<0.05). The VAS scores and ODI scores for these 2 groups at each time point after operation were significantly lower than those before the operation (P<0.05), and no significant difference between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Interbody fusion rates at 1 year were 94.4% (BE-LIF group) and 92.5% (MIS-TLIF group), with no significant difference (P>0.05). No infections or internal fixation-related complications were observed. BE-LIF achieves clinical efficacy comparable to MIS-TLIF while offering benefits, such as reduced postoperative drainage, shorter analgesic usage, and earlier ambulation.