This study aimed to evaluate short-term clinical efficacy of percutaneous endoscopic posterior lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-LIF) in the treatment of obese patients with lumbar degenerative diseases (LDD).

Patients who underwent single-level lumbar fusion surgery from July 2020 to July 2022 were retrospectively analyzed in this study. The main inclusion criterion was a body mass index (BMI) ≥30kg/m². A matched case-control design was conducted to compare the short-term outcomes between the Endo-LIF and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in obese patients. Cases were defined as those who underwent Endo-LIF, and controls were matched from those patients with open TLIF according to corresponding matched criteria. Surgeon satisfaction was evaluated by questionnaires at the end of each surgery, patient satisfaction and their willingness to undergo the same surgery again were collected.

Two groups of patients were successfully completed surgery. In comparison with the open TLIF group, the Endo-LIF group had significantly less blood loss, less time to postoperative ambulation, less postoperative complications and shorter hospitalization days, but longer operation time and x-ray exposure times. The satisfaction of surgeons and patients in Endo-LIF group significantly were superior to open TLIF group.

Endo-LIF is a safe and effective surgery in the treatment of obese patients. Although this procedure needs longer operation time and x-ray exposure times, it still maybe a promising option for obese patients with LDD.