Safety of a novel modular cage for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion − clinical cohort study in 20 patients with degenerative disc disease

Introduction: Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is used to reconstruct disc height and reduce degenerative deformity in spinal fusion. Patients with osteoporosis are at high risk of TLIF cage subsidence; possibly due to the relatively small footprint compared to anterior interbody devices. Recently, modular TLIF cage with an integral rail and slot system was developed to reduce cage subsidence and allow early rehabilitation. Objective: To study the safety of a modular TLIF device in patients with degenerative disc disorders (DDD) with regard to surgical complications, non-union, and subsidence. Methods: Patients with DDD treated with a modular TLIF cage (Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), VTI interfuse S) were analysed retrospectively with one-year follow-up. Lumbar sagittal parameters were collected preoperatively, postoperatively and at one year follow-up. Cage subsidence, fusion rate, screw loosening and proportion of endplate coverage were assessed in computed tomography scan. Results: 20 patients (age 66 ± 10 years, 65% female, BMI 28 ± 5 kg/m2) with a total of 37 fusion levels were included. 15 patients had degenerative spondylosis and 5 patients had degenerative scoliosis. The cages covered >60% of the vertebral body diameters. Lumbar lordosis angle and segmental disc angle increased from 45.2 ± 14.5 and 7.3 ± 3.6 to 52.7 ± 9.1 and 10.5 ± 3.5 (p = 0.029 and 0.0002) postoperatively for each parameter respectively without loss of correction at one year follow up. One case of deep postoperative infection occurred (5%). No cage subsidence occurred. No non-union or screw loosening occurred. Conclusions: The modular TLIF cage was safe with regard to subsidence and union-rate. It restored and maintained lumbar lordosis angle, segmental disc angle and disc height, which can be attributed to the large footprint of this modular cage.

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Feasibility of Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion through the Posterior Paraspinal Approach: Technical Note and Preliminary Result

10.21203/rs.3.rs-28307/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hyeun-Sung Kim ◽

Harshavardhan Dilip Raorane ◽

Pang Hung Wu ◽

Dong Hwa Heo ◽

Yeon Jin Yi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Lordosis ◽

Interbody Fusion ◽

Plain Radiograph ◽

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Disc Height ◽

Graft Material ◽

Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Paraspinal Approach ◽

Segmental Lordosis

Abstract Background: The implement of endoscopic spinal surgery into degenerative spinal disease has minimized the requirement of fusion procedures. However, it is still necessary to develop endoscopic spine surgery in certain patients requiring fusion such as instability. We performed a full-endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(eTLIF) through a conventional paraspinal approach. The feasibility of procedure and early outcome were evaluated.Materials and Methods: eighteen consecutive patients with degenerative lumbar disease underwent eTLIF through a conventional paraspinal approach. Their clinical outcomes were evaluated with visual analog scale(VAS) leg pain score, Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) and the MacNab's criteria; radiological outcome measured with segmental lordosis, global lumbar lordosis, disc height on plain radiograph and percentage of potential fusion mass on CT scan at pre-operative, post-operative and final follow up period. intra operative and post-operative complications noted.Results: Mean age was 63. 71 years and Mean follow-up periods was 7.78 months. According to the level, L2-3 (1 case), L3-4 (4 cases), L4-5 (13 cases) and L5-S1 (2 cases). In the X-ray result, mean segmental lordosis angle(SLA) improved in pre-operative/post-operative/follow-up period 9.87±2.74 degree/ 11.79±3.74 degree/ 10.56±3.69 degree (p > 0.01); mean lumbar lordosis angle(LLA) improved 37.1±7.04 degree/ 39.2±7.13 degree/ 35.7±7.25 degree(p > 0.01). Mean preoperative disc height(DH) improved from 8.97±1.49 mm/ 12.34±1.39 mm/ 11.44±1.98 mm (p < 0.01). In the CT result, Average percentage of fusion mass was 42.61%. VAS was improved significantly, 7.67 / 3.39 / 2.5 and ODI was improved significantly, 74.9 / 34.56 / 27.76 by each preoperative / postoperative / final follow-up. In the clinical result, excellent was 5 cases and good was 13 cases. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, eTLIF was competent enough to perform as open TLIF. and good results were obtained in the form of endplate preservation, disc height restoration, minimal blood loss and post-operative pain with early mobilization. In addition, the fusion volume including the cage and the bone graft material occupies 40% to 50% of disc space is expected to give sufficient fusion by using 3D printed cages which gives the high fusion rate. In conclusion, eTLIF is considered to be a viable surgical procedure.

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Feasibility of Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion(eTLIF) through the Posterior Paraspinal Approach: Technical Note and Preliminary Result

10.21203/rs.3.rs-28307/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hyeun-Sung Kim ◽

Harshavardhan Dilip Raorane ◽

Pang Hung Wu ◽

Dong Hwa Heo ◽

Yeon Jin Yi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Lordosis ◽

Interbody Fusion ◽

Plain Radiograph ◽

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Disc Height ◽

Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Disc Space ◽

Paraspinal Approach ◽

Segmental Lordosis

Abstract Background: Implementation of endoscopic spine surgery in the management of degenerative lumbar diseases has significantly reduced the need for fusion surgeries. The performance of a MIS-TLIF using an endoscope offers some distinct advantages, such as allowing better visualization the disc space, enhanced endplate preparation and contralateral decompression. The objective of this study was to analyze the preliminary clinical and radiological outcomes of the technique of endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (eTLIF).Materials and Methods: eighteen consecutive patients with degenerative lumbar disease underwent eTLIF through a conventional paraspinal approach. Their clinical outcomes were evaluated with visual analog scale(VAS) leg pain score, Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) and the MacNab's criteria; radiological outcome measured with segmental lordosis, global lumbar lordosis, disc height on plain radiograph and percentage of potential fusion mass on CT scan at pre-operative, post-operative and final follow up period. Intra operative and post-operative complications were noted.Results: Mean age was 63. 71 years and Mean follow-up periods was 7.78 months. In the X-ray result, mean segmental lordosis angle(SLA) improved in pre-operative/post-operative/follow-up period 9.87±2.74 degree/ 11.79±3.74 degree/ 10.56±3.69 degree (p > 0.01); mean lumbar lordosis angle(LLA) improved 37.1±7.04 degree/ 39.2±7.13 degree/ 35.7±7.25 degree (p > 0.01). Mean preoperative disc height(DH) improved from 8.97±1.49 mm/ 12.34±1.39 mm/ 11.44±1.98 mm (p < 0.01). In the CT result, Average percentage of fusion mass was 42.61%. VAS was improved significantly, 7.67±1.13 / 3.39±1.38 / 2.5±1.34 and ODI was improved significantly, 74.9±8.03/ 34.56±8.80 / 27.76±8.64 by each preoperative / postoperative / final follow-up. In the clinical result, excellent was 5 cases and good was 13 cases. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, endoscopic TLIF was feasible procedure with an advantage of better visualization and preservation of endplate, minimal blood loss and minimal post-operative pain with early mobilization. In addition, the fusion volume as measured on post-operative CT scans, occupied 40% to 50% of disc space along with the use of 3D printed cages expected to give higher fusion rates. In conclusion, our preliminary results show that endoscopic TLIF is considered to be a viable surgical procedure with further long-term follow-up warranted.

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Impact of sufficient contact between the autograft and endplate soon after surgery to prevent nonunion at 12 months following posterior lumbar interbody fusion

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2020.5.spine20360 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (6) ◽

pp. 796-805

Author(s):

Hiroki Ushirozako ◽

Tomohiko Hasegawa ◽

Shigeto Ebata ◽

Tetsuro Ohba ◽

Hiroki Oba ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Interbody Fusion ◽

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Complete Fusion ◽

Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Occupancy Rate ◽

Screw Loosening ◽

Translucent Zone ◽

Cage Subsidence ◽

The Mean

OBJECTIVENonunion after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is associated with poor long-term outcomes in terms of health-related quality of life. Biomechanical factors in the fusion segment may influence spinal fusion rates. There are no reports on the relationship between intervertebral union and the absorption of autografts or vertebral endplates. Therefore, the purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the risk factors of nonunion after PLIF and identify preventive measures.METHODSThe authors analyzed 138 patients who underwent 1-level PLIF between 2016 and 2018 (75 males, 63 females; mean age 67 years; minimum follow-up period 12 months). Lumbar CT images obtained soon after the surgery and at 6 and 12 months of follow-up were examined for the mean total occupancy rate of the autograft, presence of a translucent zone between the autograft and endplate (more than 50% of vertebral diameter), cage subsidence, and screw loosening. Complete intervertebral union was defined as the presence of both upper and lower complete fusion in the center cage regions on coronal and sagittal CT slices at 12 months postoperatively. Patients were classified into either union or nonunion groups.RESULTSComplete union after PLIF was observed in 62 patients (45%), while nonunion was observed in 76 patients (55%). The mean total occupancy rate of the autograft immediately after the surgery was higher in the union group than in the nonunion group (59% vs 53%; p = 0.046). At 12 months postoperatively, the total occupancy rate of the autograft had decreased by 5.4% in the union group and by 11.9% in the nonunion group (p = 0.020). A translucent zone between the autograft and endplate immediately after the surgery was observed in 14 and 38 patients (23% and 50%) in the union and nonunion groups, respectively (p = 0.001). The nonunion group had a significantly higher proportion of cases with cage subsidence and screw loosening at 12 months postoperatively in comparison to the union group (p = 0.010 and p = 0.009, respectively).CONCLUSIONSA lower occupancy rate of the autograft and the presence of a translucent zone between the autograft and endplate immediately after the surgery were associated with nonunion at 12 months after PLIF. It may be important to achieve sufficient contact between the autograft and endplate intraoperatively for osseous union enhancement and to avoid excessive absorption of the autograft. The achievement of complete intervertebral union may decrease the incidence of cage subsidence or screw loosening.

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Radiographic and clinical evaluation of cage subsidence after stand-alone lateral interbody fusion

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2013.4.spine12319 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 110-118 ◽

Cited By ~ 133

Author(s):

Luis Marchi ◽

Nitamar Abdala ◽

Leonardo Oliveira ◽

Rodrigo Amaral ◽

Etevaldo Coutinho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Lordosis ◽

Interbody Fusion ◽

Disc Height ◽

Standard Group ◽

Lateral Interbody Fusion ◽

Cage Subsidence ◽

Grade Ii ◽

Wide Group ◽

Lateral Interbody

Object Indirect decompression of the neural structures through interbody distraction and fusion in the lumbar spine is feasible, but cage subsidence may limit maintenance of the initial decompression. The influence of interbody cage size on subsidence and symptoms in minimally invasive lateral interbody fusion is heretofore unreported. The authors report the rate of cage subsidence after lateral interbody fusion, examine the clinical effects, and present a subsidence classification scale. Methods The study was performed as an institutional review board–approved prospective, nonrandomized, comparative, single-center radiographic and clinical evaluation. Stand-alone short-segment (1- or 2-level) lateral lumbar interbody fusion was investigated with 12 months of postoperative follow-up. Two groups were compared. Forty-six patients underwent treatment at 61 lumbar levels with standard interbody cages (18 mm anterior/posterior dimension), and 28 patients underwent treatment at 37 lumbar levels with wide cages (22 mm). Standing lateral radiographs were used to measure segmental lumbar lordosis, disc height, and rate of subsidence. Subsidence was classified using the following scale: Grade 0, 0%–24% loss of postoperative disc height; Grade I, 25%–49%; Grade II, 50%–74%; and Grade III, 75%–100%. Fusion status was assessed on CT scanning, and pain and disability were assessed using the visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index. Complications and reoperations were recorded. Results Pain and disability improved similarly in both groups. While significant gains in segmental lumbar lordosis and disc height were observed overall, the standard group experienced less improvement due to the higher rate of interbody graft subsidence. A difference in the rate of subsidence between the groups was evident at 6 weeks (p = 0.027), 3 months (p = 0.042), and 12 months (p = 0.047). At 12 months, 70% in the standard group and 89% in the wide group had Grade 0 or I subsidence, and 30% in the standard group and 11% in wide group had Grade II or III subsidence. Subsidence was detected early (6 weeks), at which point it was correlated with transient clinical worsening, although progression of subsidence was not observed after the 6-week time point. Moreover, subsidence occurred predominantly (68%) in the inferior endplate. Fusion rate was not affected by cage dimension (p > 0.999) or by incidence of subsidence (p = 0.383). Conclusions Wider cages avoid subsidence and better restore segmental lordosis in stand-alone lateral interbody fusion. Cage subsidence is identified early in follow-up and can be accessed using the proposed classification scale.

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Superior Facet Joint Violations during Single Level Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Preliminary Retrospective Clinical Study

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2018/6152769 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Long Jia ◽

Yan Yu ◽

Kamran Khan ◽

Fuping Li ◽

Rui Zhu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Minimally Invasive ◽

Intervertebral Disc ◽

Interbody Fusion ◽

Facet Joint ◽

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Disc Height ◽

Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Intervertebral Disc Height ◽

Group A

Background. Facet joint violation (FV) was reported as variable iatrogenic damage that can be a crucial risk factor leading to the adjacent segment degeneration (ASD). “Blind” screw placement technique in minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) contributes to the increasing incidence of FV that can be influenced by several potential factors. Many controversies about these factors and clinical outcomes of different types of FV patients exist, yet they have not been analyzed. Methods. 99 cases undergoing single-segment MIS-TLIF from July 2013 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Computed tomography (CT) was applied to determine the incidence of FV, and then the correlation between FV and relevant factors, including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), top-screw level, and decompression, was analyzed. A total of 53 cases were followed up after one year, 31 cases in noninjury (A group) and 22 patients in FV injury (B group). Results. The incidence of FV was 39. 39% (39/99) in the patients and 23.23% (46/198) in the screws. Logistic regression analysis showed that screw at L5 in patients with BMI > 30 kg/m2 was vulnerable to FV (P<0.05). Moreover, postoperative average intervertebral disc height (AIDH) of fusion segment, visual analog scale (VAS), and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores improved significantly in group A and B when compared with preoperative data (P<0.05). Adjacent superior average intervertebral disc height (ASAIDH) presented decrease, but adjacent superior intervertebral disc Cobb angle (ASIDCA) appeared to increase in the two groups at the final follow-up compared with postoperative 3 days (P<0.05). Low back VAS and ODI scores in group A (31 cases) were lower than those in group B (22 cases) in the final follow-up (P<0.05). Conclusion. MIS-TLIF is an effective treatment for lumbar degenerative disease, but FV occurred at a higher incidence. Facet joints should be protected in MIS-TLIF to avoid FV.

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The Influence of Endplate Morphology on Cage Subsidence in Patients With Stand-Alone Oblique Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (OLIF)

Global Spine Journal ◽

10.1177/2192568221992098 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 219256822199209

Author(s):

Ziang Hu ◽

Dengwei He ◽

Jiawei Gao ◽

Zhongyou Zeng ◽

Chao Jiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Interbody Fusion ◽

Disc Height ◽

Treatment Level ◽

Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Cage Subsidence ◽

Disability Questionnaire ◽

First Time ◽

The Relationship

Study Design: A retrospective study of prospectively collected radiographic and clinical data. Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between endplate morphology parameters and the incidence of cage subsidence in patients with mini-open single-level oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF). Methods: We included 119 inpatients who underwent OLIF from February 2015 to December 2017. A total of 119 patients with single treatment level of OLIF were included. Plain anteroposterior and lateral radiograph were taken preoperatively, postoperatively, and during follow-up. The correlation between disc height, endplate concave angle/depth, cage position and cage subsidence were investigated. Functional rating index (Visual Analogue Scale for pain, and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire) were employed to assess clinical outcomes. Results: Cage subsidence was more commonly seen at the superior endplates (42/119, 35.29%) than at the inferior endplates (6/119, 5.04%) (p < 0.01). More importantly, cage subsidence was significantly less in patients with superior endplates that were without concave angle (3/20, 15%) than with concave angle (37/99, 37.37%) (p < 0.05). Cage subsidence correlated negatively with preoperative anterior disc height (r = −0.21, p < 0.05), but positively with disc distraction rate (r = 0.27, p < 0.01). Lastly, the distance of cage to the anterior edges of the vertebral body showed a positive correlation (r = 0.26, p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study for the first time demonstrated that endplate morphology correlates with cage subsidence after OLIF. Since relatively flat endplates with smaller concave angle significantly diminish the incidence of subsidence, the morphology of cage surface should be taken into consideration when designing the next generation of cage. In addition, precise measurement of the disc height to avoid over-distraction, and more anteriorly placement of the cage is suggested to reduce subsidence.

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Outcome of Ti/PEEK Versus PEEK Cages in Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Global Spine Journal ◽

10.1177/21925682211000323 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 219256822110003

Author(s):

Yu-Cheng Yao ◽

Po-Hsin Chou ◽

Hsi-Hsien Lin ◽

Shih-Tien Wang ◽

Ming-Chau Chang

Keyword(s):

Minimally Invasive ◽

Interbody Fusion ◽

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Fusion Rate ◽

Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Peek Cage ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Peek Composite ◽

Cage Subsidence

Study Design: Retrospective case-control study. Objectives: This study aims to present the clinical and radiographical outcomes of the titanium-polyetheretherketone (Ti/PEEK) composite cage compared to those of the standard PEEK cage in patients receiving minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF). Methods: Patients receiving 1 level MI-TLIF between October 2015 and October 2017 were included with a minimum of 2-year follow-up. The patients were segregated into 2 groups; Ti/PEEK group and PEEK group. Each patient was propensity-matched using preoperative age, sex, and body mass index. Early fusion rate was evaluated by computed tomography at postoperative 6 months. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores. Results: After matching, there were 27 patients included in each group. The demographics, diagnosis, and surgical details were not significantly different between the 2 groups. The 6-month rate was 88.9% in Ti/PEEK group. The fusion rate and cage subsidence rate had no difference between the 2 groups. The complication rate in the Ti/PEEK group was comparable to that in the PEEK group. There was no difference in VAS and ODI scores during a 2-year follow-up period. Conclusions: The use of Ti/PEEK composite cage was as safe and effective as the use of PEEK cage in MI-TLIF. The 6-month fusion rate was 88.9%. Our finding revealed comparable clinical results for surgeons using Ti/PEEK composite cages in MI-TLIF compared to those using the PEEK cage.

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Evaluations of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion performed with rhBMP-2

10.21203/rs.2.12544/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Bin Lv ◽

Yuting Hou ◽

Xiang Jin ◽

Dan Luo ◽

Lei Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Minimally Invasive ◽

Clinical Data ◽

Interbody Fusion ◽

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ◽

Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Cage Subsidence

Abstract Background: The combination of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) is widely used for its advantage of rapid recovery and improved bone fusion. However, no previous study has reported the synergistic effect of MIS-TLIF with rhBMP-2 in patients with degenerative lumbar disease (DLD). Objective: To investigate the radiographic and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with DLD who underwent MIS-TLIF with and without a low dose of rhBMP-2. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 48 patients treated with MIS-TLIF from 2013 to 2016. The patients were classified into the rhBMP-2 group (n = 25) and non-rhBMP-2 group (n = 23). Fusion-related parameters were measured before and after the operation. Clinical data included the numeric rating scale (NRS) score, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores, and the MOS 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) score, which were documented to evaluate the effect of surgery. Results: In the 48 patients who underwent MIS-TLIF, the operated disc was predominantly at the L4/5 and L5/S1 levels. ADH, MDH, and PDH increased significantly in both groups after surgery (P < 0.05). FH improved in the rhBMP-2 group, but not in the non-rhBMP-2 group. There was no obvious improvement in SA in both groups. Furthermore, the SL showed a significant difference in both groups and a significant improvement over the baseline. The LL showed significant improvement in the two groups at the early follow-up (P < 0.05), but the improvement did not persist. Cage subsidence had no significant effect on different subsidence grades. In addition, no differences in cage subsidence were observed in different types of modic change (MC), except for MC 0 in both groups. There was no difference in PROs even though all clinical outcomes improved significantly during the postoperative follow-up period in both groups. Conclusion: MIS-TLIF with the low doses of rhBMP-2 resulted in an improvement in radiographic and clinical results, but not a longer-lasting restoration for radiographic outcomes. Cage subsidence is not associated with the MC. Further, our clinical data demonstrated no difference between both groups.

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Contralateral radiculopathy after unilateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: causes and prevention

Journal of International Medical Research ◽

10.1177/03000605211037475 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 (8) ◽

pp. 030006052110374

Author(s):

Yun-lin Chen ◽

Xu-dong Hu ◽

Yang Wang ◽

Wei-yu Jiang ◽

Wei-hu Ma

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Lordosis ◽

Interbody Fusion ◽

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Compact Bone ◽

Disc Height ◽

Foraminal Stenosis ◽

Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Common Cause ◽

Circumferential Fusion ◽

Segmental Angle

Background Unilateral transforminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with a single cage can provide circumferential fusion and biomechanical stability. However, the causes and prevention of contralateral radiculopathy following unilateral TLIF remain unclear. Methods In total, 190 patients who underwent unilateral TLIF from January 2017 to January 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Radiological parameters including lumbar lordosis, segmental angle, anterior disc height, posterior disc height (PDH), foraminal height (FH), foraminal width, and foraminal area (FA) were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale scores were also recorded. Results The incidence of contralateral radiculopathy after unilateral TLIF was 5.3% (10/190). The most common cause was contralateral foraminal stenosis. Unilateral TLIF could increase the lumbar lordosis, segmental angle, and anterior disc height but decrease the PDH, FA, and FH in patients with symptomatic contralateral radiculopathy. The intervertebral cage should be placed to cover the epiphyseal ring and cortical compact bone of the midline, and the disc height can be increased to enlarge the contralateral foramen. Conclusion The most common cause of contralateral radiculopathy is contralateral foraminal stenosis. Careful preoperative planning is necessary to achieve satisfactory outcomes. Improper unilateral TLIF will decrease the PDH, FA, and FH, resulting in contralateral radiculopathy.

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