title: Percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar discectomy: a critical appraisal.
abstract: Percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar discectomy (PETD) is one of the surgical techniques for the treatment of the lumbar disc herniations. Fenestration of the annulus and partial resection of the nuclear substance are achieved percutaneously by a posterolateral approach under local anaesthesia. The results of the first 42 patients are evaluated regarding the learning curve and indications for this procedure. The mean follow-up time was 15 months. Excellent and good results were evaluated as successful and the overall success rate is 77 %. All six patients with foraminal disc herniations in whom a free fragment could be removed had excellent results. Military personnel can return to work quickly without deficits with the use of this technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. kafadar@istanbul.edu.tr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kafadar
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kahraman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akbörü
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017587:Diskectomy, Percutaneous / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome