Two-year follow-up of unilateral biportal endoscopy assisted extraforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: how to perform indirect decompression and fusion under endoscopy: a retrospective study in Japan
- Author:
Takaki YOSHIMIZU
1
;
Sanshiro SAITO
;
Teruaki MIYAKE
;
Tetsutaro MIZUNO
;
Ushio NOSAKA
;
Keisuke ISHII
;
Mizuki WATANABE
;
Kanji SASAKI
Author Information
- Publication Type:Clinical Study
- From:Asian Spine Journal 2025;19(2):217-227
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Methods:Forty-nine adults who underwent single-level L4/5 interbody fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis were divided into BE-ELIF (n=27) and OLIF (n=22) groups based on the surgical approach used. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale and the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ). Radiographic parameters, including distance of spondylolisthesis, disc height, segmental lordosis, lumbar lordosis, pelvic tilt, and sagittal vertical axis, were evaluated preoperatively and at final follow-up.
Results:OLIF provided significantly better relief of pain in lower limbs and buttocks at 1-year follow-up. No significant between-group differences were observed in JOABPEQ domains. BE-ELIF resulted in greater improvements in spondylolisthesis distance and disc height, while other parameters did not differ significantly between the two groups.
Conclusions:For L4/5 degenerative spondylolisthesis, BE-ELIF demonstrated superior spondylolisthesis reduction and disc height improvement than OLIF. Although BE-ELIF was associated with some inferior clinical outcomes, it provided satisfactory results, effective realignment, and a low complication risk.
