Translaminar approach for treatment of hidden zone foraminal lumbar disc herniations: considerations on the surgical technique and pre-operative selection of patients with a long term follow-up

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common degenerative disease of the lumbar spine with a prevalence of 1-3% in population studies according to some authors. In 10% of patients there is a fragment migrated cranially in the Macnab ’s “hidden zone”. In selected cases, this fragment can be removed with a translaminar approach that has been described in 1998. Aim of our work is to provide a detailed description of the technical advantages and pitfalls of such approach reviewing a consecutive series of patients.
Source: World Neurosurgery - Category: Neurosurgery Authors: Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research