title: Minimally invasive approach to extraforaminal disc herniations at the lumbosacral junction using an operating microscope: case series and review of the literature.
abstract: Surgical access to extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations is complicated due to the unique anatomical constraints of the region. Minimizing complications during microdiscectomies at the level of L5-S1 in particular remains a challenge. The authors report on a small series of patients and provide a video presentation of a minimally invasive approach to L5-S1 extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations utilizing a tubular retractor with microscopic visualization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. pirrissm@upmc.edu
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Pirris
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dhall
authors.forename: Praveen V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Mummaneni
authors.forename: Adam S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Kanter
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012447:Sacrum / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*