What is Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression?

When the disc contents have protruded or burst out of the disc space into the spinal canal this disc, disc or material is usually retrieved by means of an open Fenestrectomy. Following the feedback from spinal probing and discography, the endoscope can be guided along the exiting nerve root, through the foramen and into the anterior epidural space. Clearance of the anterior intradiscal space can be effected with the side-firing laser probe Holmium laser wavelengths and graspers. A tear in the disc wall can be seen and an intradiscal clearance can be performed to clear remaining disc material from within the disc to prevent recurrence and an annuloplasty can be performed to shrink the wall of the disc and reduce a disc protrusion.

The Endoscopic Laser Foraminoplasty procedure opens the lateral recess, decompresses the nerve roots, accepts the settlement and allows continued micromovements at the segmental level. This is expected to avoid the acceleration of degeneration at the adjacent levels. It preserves all options for the patient for the future including "Keyhole" disc replacement, and "Keyhole" fusion as well as conventional fusion or Total Disc Replacement.