Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar procedure for disc herniations: a "between" technique

Despite the advancement of surgical techniques in endoscopic spine surgeries, treatment of central and paracentral disc herniations, especially disc extrusions and disc sequestrations, remains challenging. On the basis of our experience with treating disc tears, disc herniations, and other spinal diseases, we have developed a new technique we call the "between" technique. This technique involves positioning the opening of the endoscope access cannula at the edge of the targeted disc with half of the opening being positioned inside the disc and the other half positioned in the epidural space. The "between" technique uses a blunt-ended dilator as a navigating tool in the epidural space to find the ideal access path and initial location for the access cannula. The technique is safe, effective, and easy to use. It has been proven particularly efficacious for the treatment of central and paracentral extruded disc herniations and sequestered disc herniations. The purpose of this Chapter is to describe this technique and introduce its application in removing central and paracentral disc extrusions and sequestrations.