Objective To explore the short-term efficacy of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) in the treatment of patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis and its effect on lumbar function.

Methods A total of 79 patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis from January 2020 to June 2022 were retrospectively selected and divided into two groups according to different surgical methods. Patients in minimally invasive group (n=41) received MIS-TLIF and patients in open group (n=38) received open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). The surgical efficacy, surgery-related indicators and imaging indicators were compared between the two groups. The lumbar function was evaluated by Japanese Orthopaedics Association (JOA) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI). The degree of lumbar pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS).

Results Compared with the open group, the time of surgery in the minimally invasive group was longer, the length of incision was shorter, and the intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage were less (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the excellent and good rate and the effective rate of surgery between the two groups. The JOA scores at 3 months and 6 months after operation in minimally invasive group were higher than those in open group (P < 0.01), and the ODI score at 3 months after operation and the VAS scores at 1 day, 3 days and 7 days after operation were lower than those in open group (P < 0.01).

Conclusions MIS-TLIF has good short-term clinical efficacy in patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, which can relieve postoperative pain and contribute to the recovery of lumbar function.