[Posterior Decompression Surgery for Degenerative Lumbar Disease:Basic Principles and Advantages/Disadvantages of...

This paper examines advancements in minimally invasive posterior decompression techniques for lumbar degenerative diseases. It focuses on the unilateral approach for bilateral decompression and bilateral approach for contralateral decompression, in which the entry side is determined independently of the symptomatic side to achieve a facet joint preservation rate of ≥ 70%, while also emphasizing contralateral foraminal decompression(CFD). These techniques address spinal instability by minimizing facet joint resection, reducing postoperative instability. CFD is noteworthy because it enables single-stage decompression in the same surgical field as foraminal stenosis, which frequently coexists with spinal canal stenosis. Additionally, this paper discusses the effectiveness of real-time 3D CT navigation in enhancing surgical precision, especially in complex cases, to improve long-term outcomes by minimizing postoperative instability. Furthermore, exoscopic surgery is evaluated as a future standard, highlighting its superior ergonomics and flexible viewing angles, including steep oblique angles, which are challenging with conventional microscopes. Although exoscopic technology offers many advantages, it also has certain drawbacks and remains in the developmental stage; however, it holds the potential to become a new paradigm in spinal surgery. Balancing minimally invasive approaches with spinal stability remains critical for optimizing patient recovery, reducing complications, and minimizing reliance on spinal fusion surgery.