Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes and radiological results of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and posterolateral fusion (PLF) in the treatment of low degree spondylolisthesis. Methods: 142 patients who were admitted in our hospital from 2013.01 to 2016.01 and diagnosed as spondylolisthesis were were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients who were divided into posterior lumbar interbody fusion group (PLIF) and posterolateral fusion group (PLF) were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS), X ray or MRI, JOA, fusion rate, the average amount of bleeding, operation time and the incidence of complications. Results: All patients were followed up at least 1 years after the operation. The results of postoperative (1 and 12 months after the operation) VAS score were obviously improved compared with preoperative evaluation (P<0.05). The VAS score and fusion rate of PLIF were significantly better than that in PLF in the 12th month. The average amount of bleeding,operation time and the incidence of complications for PLF group were better than PLIF group's (P<0.05). There was no difference between two groups in the the average days of hospitalization, stay time and JOA. Conclusion: Clinical and radiological outcomes of PLIF group is superior than PLF group's for low degree spondylolisthesis. However, results of PLF group is also objective, so we think that it need to be individual to design the surgical method for some special person on clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]