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Updated: Oct 8, 2025
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Full-Endoscopic Transforaminal Approach for Lumbar Discectomy
Published on: September 8, 2023
628
Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy: Basic Concepts and Technical Keys to Clinical Success
1Department of Neurosurgery, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea.
International Journal of Spine Surgery
|January 2, 2022
Summary
Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) offers an effective, minimally invasive alternative to open surgery for lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Careful technique ensures comparable outcomes to open surgery with fewer complications.
Area of Science:
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Open microdiscectomy is standard for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) radiculopathy.
- Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) is a minimally invasive alternative.
- TELD outcomes are comparable to open surgery but face learning curves and potential complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail TELD principles, techniques, and complication prevention.
- To guide surgeons in achieving clinical success with TELD.
Main Methods:
- Narrative literature review.
- Focused on surgical indications, technical tips, complications, and learning curve of TELD.
Main Results:
- Optimal TELD requires precise access, selective fragment removal, and clear endpoint identification (nerve root pulsation/mobilization).
- Surgeons must differentiate neural tissue from disc material.
- TELD shows non-inferior outcomes to open discectomy, with faster recovery and fewer complications.
Conclusions:
- Full-endoscopic transforaminal discectomy is a viable, minimally invasive option for selected LDH patients.
- Advancements in TELD are expanding indications and improving reliability.
