How I do it: percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy for lumbar disk herniation

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Background:

• Lumbar disk herniation (LDH) is a common condition requiring effective treatment.
• Traditional discectomy can be invasive, leading to longer recovery times.
• Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) has emerged as a less invasive alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the technique of PTED as performed in our hospital.
• To highlight the advantages of PTED, including local anesthesia and immediate intraoperative feedback.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of PTED for symptomatic LDH.

Main Methods:

• PTED is performed under local anesthesia in the prone position.
• The procedure involves precise steps including marking, incision, and guidewire insertion.
• Foraminotomy up to 9 mm is achieved using specialized instruments, followed by endoscopic disk material removal.

Main Results:

• The described PTED technique utilizes a small incision, resulting in a scar size of approximately 8 mm.
• The procedure allows for direct visualization and removal of herniated disk material.
• Immediate intraoperative feedback from the patient is an advantage of this technique.

Conclusions:

• PTED is a promising alternative surgical option for patients suffering from symptomatic lumbar disk herniation.
• The technique can be performed safely with minimally invasive characteristics.
• Further studies may explore long-term outcomes and comparisons with conventional discectomy.