Mini‐Open Versus Open Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Patients Aged ≥ 75 Years: Perioperative Surgical Burden and Clinical Outcomes

Abstract

Patients aged ≥ 75 years are at increased risk of perioperative stress and delayed early recovery after lumbar fusion, making the choice of surgical approach clinically relevant. However, direct comparative data on mini‐open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MO‐TLIF) and conventional open TLIF in this population remain limited. This study compared perioperative surgical burden, postoperative pain and functional recovery trajectories, and 12‐month radiographic fusion and satisfaction between MO‐TLIF and conventional open TLIF in patients aged ≥ 75 years.