A retrospective analysis was performed on eight patients (four women and four men) who underwent TLIF between June 2003 and June 2005. The approach involved unilateral laminectomy and inferior facetectomy at the level of fusion. Interbody fusion was achieved from this unilateral approach by performing diskectomy, arthrodesis, and insertion of one titanium cage packed with autologous bone. Initial symptoms were a combination of low back pain and radiculopathy. The average age of the patients was 53.6 years and the average follow-up time was 15 months. All patients had single-level TLIF (L/5 or L5/S1). The mean operating time was 255 minutes and mean blood loss was 205g. In all patients, low back pain and radiculopathy were improved. One complication, radiculopathy by bone graft, was seen in eight patients. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score improved from 20/29 to 25/29. TLIF is a reliable and safe technique for interbody support that can be performed with excellent clinical outcome.
