title: Lumbar microendoscopic discectomy: surgical technique and nuances.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lumbar microendoscopic discectomy (MED) is a minimally invasive transmuscular approach that combines standard lumbar microsurgical techniques with endoscopy. MED advantages include reduced tissue trauma, direct visualization of the nerve root and disc disease, and allowing bony decompression in cases with spinal or lateral recess stenosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Operative charts and videos of patients undergoing MED were retrieved from our database and reviewed. A description of the surgical technique was then formulated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The surgical technique of MED is described and is essentially similar to conventional microdiscectomy. Some modifications are, however, necessary owing to the difference between microscopic and endoscopic views.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Ibn Sina Hospital, PO Box 25427, Safat, 13115, Kuwait City, Kuwait. waleedazab@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Waleed A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Azab
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Ibn Sina Hospital, PO Box 25427, Safat, 13115, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Khurram
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nasim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Ibn Sina Hospital, PO Box 25427, Safat, 13115, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Najibullah
mesh_terms: D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000601:surgery; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Disc; Discectomy; Endoscopic; Lumbar; Microendoscopic; Spine