Commentary on “Postoperative complications and mechanical outcomes following endoscopic versus open lumbar fusion: a propensity-matched analysis”
Year: 2026
Type: editorial
Abstract: Endoscopic lumbar fusion is moving rapidly from technical possibility to clinical practice. Wang et al. provide a timely large-scale comparison of endoscopic and open lumbar fusion using propensity-matched national data [1]. Compared with open fusion, endoscopic fusion was associated with higher rates of several early complications and approximately twice the rate of pseudoarthrosis at both 1 and 2 years, yet with lower instrumentation failure and essentially identical revision rates. This discordant pattern challenges a basic question in fusion surgery: what constitutes success?
Author: Takashi Kaito
Institutions: Osaka Rosai Hospital, The University of Osaka
Language: English
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,950
OpenAlex ID: W7214653498