Objective: Comparing and analyzing clinical and radiological outcomes of open versus minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) for single-level lumbar degenerative disease prospectively.Method: From February 2010 to February 2011,105 single-level open and MIS TLIF were performed at our centre and were followed up more than at least 18 months.Among them, 43 cases who underwent MIS-TLIF as trail group, 62 cases who underwent traditional open TLIF as control group.In the case group, mild spondylolisthesis were 20 , lumbar stenosis were 14 , lumbar vertebrae unsteady were 9 , all underwent single-level MIS-TLIF with single cage through MLDS (Micro Lumbar Distractor System) and Wiltse approach.In the control group, mild spondylolisthesis were 32 , lumbar stenosis were 20, lumbar vertebrae unsteady were 10, all underwent single-level open-TLIF with single cage.Comparing and analyzing clinical and radiological outcomes of both groups such as the operation time, the blood loss intra-operatively, the blood loss post-operatively, the radiation exposure time, post-operative hospital stay, post-operative complications, fusion, cage dislocation and sink, the VAS and ODI of post-operation and follow up.Results: There was no significant difference in pre-operative information between two groups.MIS-TLIF group was superior to OPEN-TLIF group in the the blood loss intra-operatively, the blood loss post-operatively, post-operative hospital stay statistically (P<0.05).The MIS group had a significant longer radiation time (P<0.05).There were no significant difference in operation time, VAS and ODI of post-operation and follow up between two groups (P>0.05).In each group, there was a significant difference in VAS and ODI Of pre-operation and post-operation (P<0.05).Conclusion: MIS-TLIF surgical technique is a safe and reliable method.It has some advantages such as less invasion, quick recovery and may partly replace OPEN-TLIF.