Endoscopic Lumbar Disc Surgery Experience with the TESSYS Technique in 253 Case Series

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Background:

• Herniated lumbar disc (HLD) is a common condition necessitating surgical intervention.
• Minimally invasive spine surgery presents a valuable alternative to traditional methods.
• Transforaminal endoscopic discectomy has evolved as a technological advancement over classical microdiscectomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of endoscopic transforaminal discectomy using the TESSYS technique.
• To assess the efficacy and safety of TESSYS for unilateral herniated lumbar discs.
• To determine the long-term results of this minimally invasive procedure.

Main Methods:

• Prospective evaluation of 183 patients undergoing TESSYS-based surgery between 2016 and 2019.
• Inclusion criteria: unilateral radicular pain, no instability, failed conservative therapy.
• Strict selection criteria were applied to ensure patient suitability.

Main Results:

• Significant and lasting improvement in all patient symptoms post-surgery.
• Low complication rates, with most being minor.
• Only four patients required redo microdiscectomy; obesity did not negatively impact outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Endoscopic transforaminal discectomy with TESSYS is a viable treatment for lateral herniated lumbar discs.
• The technique provides a controlled foraminal augmentation with nerve root protection.
• This approach offers a valuable management option for selected HLD patients.