Table 1.

Advantages and disadvantages of TLIF over PLIF

Advantages

Posterior approaches allow easy access to lamina, ligamentum flavum, facet joints

Allows posterior instrumentation

Less soft tissue/ paraspinal muscle dissection

Less removal of bony surfaces

Less exposure of midline neural structures (e.g. dura)

Disadvantages

Unilateral approach and inability to decompress opposite nerve root

Incomplete intervertebral disc removal