Abstract Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion via lateral approach in the treatment of degenerative scoliosis. Method: 36 patients with degenerative scoliosis admitted to our hospital from August 2016 to December 2018 were selected and divided into observation group and control group according to the random number table method. The control group used traditional posterior open orthopedic surgery In the observation group, minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion was performed via a lateral approach, with 18 cases in each group. The clinical efficacy and rehabilitation of the two groups were compared. Results: All patients successfully completed the operation. The postoperative blood loss, operation time and length of stay in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). At the last follow-up after operation, the VAS score and ODI score of the observation group were significantly better than those of the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of complications in the observation group was 5.55%, the incidence of complications in the control group was 33.33%, and the incidence in the control group was higher than that in the observation group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Before surgery, there was no significant difference in disc height, foramen area, and Cobb angle between the two groups of patients. After surgery, both groups improved (P<0.05). The observation group was better than the control group at the last follow-up after surgery. (P<0.05). Conclusion: Compared with the traditional posterior lumbar interbody fusion, the oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion is more effective in the treatment of degenerative scoliosis. It has the characteristics of less trauma, faster recovery, and good curative effect. It is worthy of clinical promotion.