Employee Medical Leave in Mis-Tlif or Open-Tlif in Elective Surgery in Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of the two techniques (minimally invasive transforaminal inter somatic lumbar fusion [MIS-TLIF] and open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion [TLIF]) in the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. The outcomes investigated were: intensity of low back pain, functional disability of the lumbar spine, discharge time, return to work, lumbar lordosis angle, cost of individual sources due to the period of work-related absenteeism, and societal perspective costs in the treatment of low-grade lumbar degenerative disease. The data was obtained through the analysis of data contained in the electronic medical records of 100 patients who underwent one of the two surgical techniques from January 2019 to May 2021 in a High Complexity Orthopedic Surgery. The outcomes investigated were set 12 months postoperatively. Results: No statistical differences were observed in terms of sex, age, employment, and diagnosis grade between groups. MIS-TLIF was associated with significant improvement in the intensity of low back pain, functional disability of the lumbar spine, discharge time, return to work, cost of individual sources due to the period of work-related absenteeism, and societal perspective costs. The variation in the lumbar lordosis angle of the MIS-TLIF group was smaller when compared to TLIF. Conclusion: Considering that MIS-TLIF was achieved with satisfactory short-term improvements, it may be used as an alternative strategy to TLIF to promote clinical and economical improvements in treating lumbar degenerative disease. Level of Evidence III; Comparative Retrospective Study.