Far Lateral/Extraforaminal Approaches for Microdiscectomy and Foraminal Decompression in the Lumbar Spine

Far lateral approaches to the lumbar spine are uncommon procedures but are essential techniques for spine surgeons to understand and master for the treatment of extraforaminal disk herniations and foraminal stenosis. We present our preferred approaches for open and minimally invasive techniques to perform extraforaminal decompressions and/or discectomies in the lumbar spine.