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AR-S6524-060-200

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Spine

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The transforaminal endoscopic thoracic discectomy is a powerful approach for treating all types of thoracic disc herniations and, in recent studies, has been shown to minimize collateral damage, blood loss, postoperative pain, and spinal cord manipulation.1-4 This is the only approach that offers an unobstructed view of the ventral thoracic canal without extensive bony resection and without requiring entry into the thoracic cavity.&nbsp;
References
1. Bae J. Chachan S. Shin SH, Lee SH. Transforaminal endoscopic thoracic discectomy with foraminoplasty for the treatment of thoracic disc herniation. J Spine Surg. 2020:6(2):397-404. doi:10.21037/iss.2019.11.19
2. Komp M. Ruetten S. Full-endoscopic anterior excision of thoracic disc herniations, including giant and calcified discs with spinal cord compression: surgical technique and outcomes. Eur Spine J. 2023.32(8):2685-2693. doi:10.1007/00586-023-07807-0
3. Konakondia S, Sofoluke N, Barber SM, Rimini SA, Siotkin JR. Outpatient endoscopic resection of large calcified thoracic disc herniation with caudal displacement. Neurosurg Focus Video. 2022:6(1):V/18. doi:10.3171/2021.10.FOCVID2112
4. Telfeian AE, Wagner R. Transforaminal endoscopic thoracic discectomy, surgical technique. J Spine Surg. 2023:9(2):166-175. doi:10.21037/ss-22-109

Transforaminal Endoscopic Thoracic Discectomy

Child (D)

The traditional open approach for treating far lateral disc herniations at L5-S1 is challenging. Alternatively, the transforaminal endoscopic approach lands directly at the far lateral zone and requires little or no facet resection to achieve decompression.

Far Lateral Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy

A transforaminal, or paraspinal, approach provides the ability to reach far-lateral disc herniations. Using a spine-specific endoscope minimizes soft-tissue disruption, resulting in less postoperative pain.1,2 Additionally, studies showed that approximately 85% patients who underwent endoscopic lumbar discectomy returned to athletic activity in as few as 6 to 8 weeks.3,4
References
1. Sairyo&nbsp;K, Matsuura T,&nbsp;Higashino&nbsp;K, et al. Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar&nbsp;discectomy for athletes. J Spine. 2013;S5(006):1-4. doi:10.4172/2165-7939.S5-006&nbsp;​
2. Sivakanthan&nbsp;S, Williams JR,&nbsp;Feroze&nbsp;AH, et al. Endoscopic spine surgery in&nbsp;athletes: case series and review of literature. World&nbsp;Neurosurg. 2021;145:702-707. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2020.08.211
3. Polikandriotis&nbsp;JA, Hudak EM, Perry MW. Minimally invasive surgery through&nbsp;endoscopic laminotomy and foraminotomy for the treatment of lumbar spinal&nbsp;stenosis. J&nbsp;Orthop. 2013;10(1):13-16. doi:10.1016/j.jor.2013.01.006
4. Ruetten&nbsp;S,&nbsp;Komp&nbsp;M, Merk H,&nbsp;Godolias&nbsp;G. Use of newly developed instruments&nbsp;and endoscopes: Full-endoscopic resection of lumbar disc herniations via the&nbsp;interlaminar and lateral transforaminal approach. J&nbsp;Neurosurg&nbsp;Spine.&nbsp;2007;6(6):521-530. doi:10.3171/spi.2007.6.6.2

Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy

Minimally invasive endoscopic cervical foraminotomy and decompression is designed to treat cervical radiculopathy and other conditions that compress the nerve root. Utilizing an endoscope, surgeons can directly visualize and remove compressive pathology such as disc herniations, osteophytes, and hypertrophic ligaments. This technique minimizes soft-tissue disruption, reduces blood loss, allows for quicker recovery, and has demonstrated high clinical success rates, with a systematic review reporting 91.3% overall and up to 94.2% for posterior approaches.1,2 Additionally, long-term follow-ups show lasting symptom relief, high patient satisfaction, and a lower risk of adjacent segment disease compared to traditional ACDF surgery.3
Potential applications include treatment of cervical radiculopathy, herniated cervical discs, cervical spondylosis, foraminal stenosis, and osteophytes (bone spurs). Research supports its effectiveness in treating both soft disc herniations, where the nucleus pulposus compresses the nerve root, and hard disc herniations caused by calcified disc material.4 A lower incidence of spinal instability has also been reported, suggesting a reduced need for future spinal fusion procedures.5
Careful patient selection is key to optimal surgical outcomes; those with major deformity, instability, or large central herniations may require alternative surgery. With proper selection and advancing technology, this method remains a safe, effective, and motion-preserving option for cervical nerve decompression.1
References
1. Huang CC, Fitts J, Huie D, Bhowmick DA, Abd-El-Barr MM. Evolution of cervical endoscopic spine surgery: current progress and future directions—a narrative review.&nbsp;J Clin Med.&nbsp;2024;13(7):2122. doi:10.3390/jcm13072122
2. Alomar SA, Maghrabi Y, Baeesa SS, Alves ÓL. Outcome of anterior and posterior endoscopic procedures for cervical radiculopathy due to degenerative disk disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.&nbsp;Global Spine J.&nbsp;2022;12(7):1546-1560. doi:10.1177/2192568221103727
3. Kim HS, Wu PH, Tze-Chun Lau E, Jang IT. Narrative review of uniportal posterior endoscopic cervical foraminotomy.&nbsp;World Neurosurg.&nbsp;2024;181:148-153. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2023.10.021
4. Bergamaschi JPM, Brito MBS, Araújo FF, et al. Surgical technique of central and over-the-top full-endoscopic decompression of the cervical spine: a technical note.&nbsp;J Pers Med.&nbsp;2023;13(10):1508. doi:10.3390/jpm13101508
5. Zhang C, Wu J, Zheng W, Li C, Zhou Y. Posterior endoscopic cervical decompression: review and technical note.&nbsp;Neurospine.&nbsp;2020;17(Suppl 1):S74-S80. doi:10.14245/ns.2040166.083

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AR-S6524-060-200

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