Minimally invasive lumbar disk herniation surgery with tubular retractors: Indications and technical aspects

Abstract

Lumbar radiculopathy is one of the most common conditions that a spine surgeon encounters. Very often the source of the patient’s symptoms is herniation of intervertebral disk material and subsequent nerve root compression. These symptoms can be effectively addressed with surgical removal of disk material and decompression of the nerve root. While the goals of lumbar discectomy have remained relatively constant, surgical approach has changed dramatically with greater emphasis on eliminating access-related morbidity. Minimally invasive approaches with tubular retractors have been widely embraced and are now commonly used in the treatment of lumbar disk disease. This technique allows surgeons to directly visualize and alleviate nerve root compression while minimizing damage to overlying soft tissue. In this chapter, we describe the indications and technical nuances of minimally invasive lumbar discectomy through tubular retractors.