title: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy via contralateral approach: a technical case report.
abstract: METHODS
  Technical case report.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The authors report a new percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) technique for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation via a contralateral approach.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  When there are highly down-migrated lumbar disc herniation along just medial to pedicle and narrow ipsilateral intervertebral foramen, the conventional PELD is not easily accessible via ipsilateral transforaminal route.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five patients manifested gluteal and leg pain because of a soft disc herniation at the L4-L5 level. Transforaminal PELD via a contralateral approach was performed to remove the herniated fragment, achieving complete decompression of the nerve root.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The symptom was relieved and the patient was discharged the next day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When a conventional transforaminal PELD is difficult because of some anatomical reasons, PELD via a contralateral route could be a good alternative option in selected cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Wooridul Spine Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin-Sung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Gun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Sang-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017587:Diskectomy, Percutaneous / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male