Dr. Rao presents 110-patient Endo-TLIF vs MIS-TLIF study at MISSABCON 2026

Dr. Mohana Rao Patibandla presented a comparative study at MISSABCON 2026 in Guntur on two minimally invasive lumbar fusion techniques, Endo-TLIF and MIS-TLIF. The 110-patient analysis found lower blood loss and shorter hospital stays with Endo-TLIF, but longer operative times and higher X-ray exposure, while fusion and complication rates were similar.

Why it matters: - The study addresses a common spine-surgery trade-off: whether a newer minimally invasive approach offers enough recovery benefits to offset added surgical time and radiation exposure. - The findings suggest both Endo-TLIF and MIS-TLIF can achieve comparable outcomes for selected patients with single-level lumbar degenerative disease. - The comparison gives surgeons data on blood loss, hospital stay, operative time, pain, disability, fusion and complications.

What happened: - Dr. Mohana Rao Patibandla presented the comparative study at MISSABCON 2026. - The retrospective analysis reviewed 110 patients in Guntur with single-level lumbar degenerative disease. - Fifty-five patients underwent Endo-TLIF and 55 underwent MIS-TLIF. - The study evaluated perioperative, clinical and radiological outcomes.

The details: - Mean blood loss was about 89 mL with Endo-TLIF, compared with about 111 mL with MIS-TLIF. - Mean hospital stay was about 4.3 days with Endo-TLIF, compared with about 5.6 days with MIS-TLIF. - Mean operative time was about 206 minutes for Endo-TLIF, compared with about 120 minutes for MIS-TLIF. - X-ray exposure was about 41 exposures in the Endo-TLIF group, compared with about 27 in the MIS-TLIF group. - Both procedures produced significant improvements in pain and disability measures after surgery. - Long-term clinical outcomes were comparable between the two groups at the reported follow-up points. - At 12 months, fusion rates were 94.55% for Endo-TLIF and 96.36% for MIS-TLIF. - Lumbar lordosis, segmental lordosis and disc height showed no significant differences between groups. - Overall complication rates did not differ significantly. - The reported complication rate was 9.09% for Endo-TLIF and 5.45% for MIS-TLIF. - The study concluded that Endo-TLIF may be an effective and reliable option for single-level lumbar degeneration, with less trauma and faster postoperative recovery, but with longer operative time and greater X-ray exposure.

Between the lines: - The findings do not make one technique a clear winner. - Endo-TLIF appears to trade lower blood loss and shorter hospitalization for more operating-room time and more radiation. - The results reinforce how minimally invasive spine surgery is increasingly being judged by recovery profile as much as by final fusion success. - Dr. Rao said innovation in spine surgery should be guided by evidence and by what is appropriate for the individual patient.

What's next: - The study adds to the evidence surgeons can use when choosing between minimally invasive lumbar fusion techniques. - The data may inform more individualized decisions based on diagnosis, anatomy, symptoms, imaging findings, overall health and expected risk-benefit balance. - Dr. Rao's Hospital – International Institute of Neurosciences says it will continue focusing on advanced neurosurgical treatment, minimally invasive procedures and clinical research.

The bottom line: - Endo-TLIF and MIS-TLIF delivered similar fusion and clinical results in this 110-patient study, but they did so with different perioperative trade-offs.