Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: prognostic factors related to retention in an active duty military population

Little information is available regarding patient-based factors that may influence results following transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in younger, high-demand individuals. A query of all TLIF procedures performed on active duty military personnel at our institution was conducted for the time period 2005 to 2008. Data was abstracted, including age, gender, military rank, preoperative diagnosis, complications, and ability to remain in the military. Favorable outcome was defined as the ability of the patient receiving TLIF to remain on active duty, without medical separation (Medical Evaluation Board [MEB]), at a minimum of 1 year postsurgery. Univariate analysis was conducted to identify potential risk factors for MEB. Factors with a univariate p value