Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ULIF) Versus Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) in Management of Single Level Lumbar Degenerative Disease: A Retrospective Study

Inclusion criteria

• Patients who have been diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, or lumbar spondylolisthesis based on their medical history, physical signs, and imaging exams such as lumbar anteroposterior and lateral radiographs (including hyperextension and hyperflexion positions), lumbar CT, and lumbar MR. (2) The patient has clear indications for surgical treatment: ① Conservative treatment for more than three months has been ineffective or the symptoms have continued to worsen ② The patient's symptoms are severe and interfere with their daily work and life ③ The patient exhibits signs of cauda equina nerve compression (such as numbness in the perineal area, loss of bowel and bladder control, etc.).

(3) The patient is undergoing their initial single-segment ULIF or PLIF surgery at our hospital.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with lumbar degenerative diseases involving two or more segments
• Pathological changes caused by other diseases, such as spinal infections, spinal trauma, spinal tumors, neurological diseases, etc.
• Patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis exceeding Meyerding Grade II or degenerative scoliosis with a Cobb angle greater than 20 degrees
• History of previous lumbar surgery
• History of previous tumor disease.