Objective To compare the three types of surgical approach of lumbar spinal fusion in rabbits. Methods Twenty four rabbits were divided into three groups to perform lumbar interbody, intercentrum and intertransverse process fusion at the time of 3 and 6 weeks. The rabbits were killed to perform manual palpation, radiographic and biomechanical testing. Results In the interbody fusion group, the implant bone was unstable, the implant bone slipped anterior in four cases, no fusion in four cases. In the intercentrum fusion group, the fusion area was narrow, only one case fused. In the intertransverse process group, the implant bone was stable, the fusion area was large, the implant bone was solid at three weeks, three cases (75%) were fused at six weeks. Conclusion Posteriorlateral intertransverse process lumbar fusion has excellent implant bed, with stable fusion region and sufficient implant bone. The fusion rate was 75% at six weeks, which was similar to human. The operation was easy, so lumbar intertransverse process fusion in rabbits was an ideal animal model to study lumbar fusion.