Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42477285›Full record

ReviewSpine deformity2026

Minimally invasive versus open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for low grade lumbar spondylolisthesis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Shaan Patel, Shiva A Nischal, Griffin W White, Angelette Mendonca, Gargee Sree Nallanukala, Jack Jallo, James S Harrop, Srinivas K Prasad

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Spine deformity, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Shaan Patel *Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2657-8874
Shiva A Nischal *Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK. shiva.nischal@dpag.ox.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6625-5706
Griffin W WhiteDrexel University College of Medicine, 2900 W Queen Ln, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA.
Angelette MendoncaSchool of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SP, UK.
Gargee Sree NallanukalaPhiladelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 4170 City Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19131, USA.
Jack JalloDepartment of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5512-1729
James S HarropDepartment of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0943-3406
Srinivas K PrasadDepartment of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeMinimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) is used for low-grade lumbar spondylolisthesis to reduce access morbidity. However, whether this compromises construct durability versus open surgery (OS) remains uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether MIS-TLIF preserves fusion and reoperation outcomes while improving perioperative outcomes compared with OS.

methodsPubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched from inception to 1 December 2025. Adult MIS-TLIF was compared with OS-TLIF. Primary outcomes were fusion, overall complications, and reoperation. Secondary outcomes were operative time, blood loss, length of stay (LOS), surgical site infection (SSI), adjacent segment disease, and patient-reported outcomes. Random-effects models were used. Risk of bias (ROBINS-I/RoB) and certainty (GRADE) were assessed.

resultsNineteen studies encompassing 2117 patients (MIS 948, OS 1169) were included. Fusion was equivalent (RR 1.13; 95% CI 0.74-1.74; P = 0.51; I

conclusionMIS-TLIF achieves comparable fusion and reoperation outcomes while reducing perioperative burden, consistent with task-contingent, tissue-sparing use in appropriately selected patients.

Indexed as

Interbody fusionLumbar spondylolisthesisMinimally invasiveTransforaminal

Identifiers

PMID42477285

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.