Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze the surgical complications of mini-open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(TLIF) with pedicle screw fixation(PSF) in elderly patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 36 patients aged 65 years or more who underwent single-level mini-open TLIF with PSF from July 2004 to June 2005 was conducted. In all patients, mini-open TLIF was performed via paraspinal transmuscular route. Intraoperative, early postoperative, and late postoperative complications were investigated. Results: The series included 15 men and 21 women. The mean age of the patients at the time of operation was 69.0 years(range, 65 to 77 years). Mean follow-up period was 6.4 months(range, 1 to 22 months). Surgical complication occurred in 7 patients(19.4%). Intraoperative complication occurred in one patient(2.8%; unintended durotomy). Early postoperative complication occurred in 5 patients(13.8%); epidural hematoma in 1, cerebrovascular complication in 1, cardiac complications in 2 and spondylodiscitis in 1. Late postoperative complication occurred in one patient(2.8% pseudoarthrosis). Two patients underwent revision surgery due to complications(5.6%); hematoma evacuation in 1 and anterior lumbar interbody fusion in 1. Conclusion: Single-level mini-open TLIF with PSF yielded relatively high complication rate in elderly patients.
