Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2026
A Mobile Outside-in Technique of Transforaminal Lumbar Endoscopy for Lumbar Disc Herniations
Published on: August 7, 2018
Far Lateral Tubular Microdiscectomy for Extraforaminal, Foraminal, and Lateral Recess Acute Disc Herniation: Surgical
Anthony Minh Tien Chau1, Aaron Lerch, Amir Amiri
1Brisbane Clinical Neuroscience Centre, Mater Hospital Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Study Design:
We present a 7-minute stepwise instructional video alongside a detailed technical report defining our surgical approach.
Objective:
We outline our technique for tubular far lateral microdiscectomy for the treatment of a soft extraforaminal, foraminal, and lateral recess disc herniation, avoiding the need for spinal fusion.
Summary Of Background Data:
This technique relies on a suitable soft disc consistency.
Methods:
We demonstrate this with a case of a 50-year-old woman presenting with 1 month of acute onset L3 radiculopathy and weakness that is refractory to a cortisone block. Our step-by-step guide, presented in both video and written format, illustrates a specific situation where this technique may be applicable.
Results:
The patient presented in this case was discharged home the following day, achieved full symptom resolution, and return of normal power/mobility, with sustained clinical outcome at 6 weeks follow-up.
Conclusions:
The careful preoperative consideration of patients to select a suitable disc consistency allows the effective implementation of this technique to achieve excellent outcomes and avoid spinal fusion.
