Translaminar lumbar epidural endoscopy: technique and clinical results.

To provide baseline outcome data for a new lumbar microinvasive diskectomy done with standard arthroscopic instrumentation, we retrospectively reviewed the cases of 190 patients. All patients were assessed by a modified MacNab outcome classification with a minimum of a 2-year follow-up. All complications of this procedure were reported as well. No previous outcome data are available for this procedure, since it has been done primarily at one center, by the same surgeon, using his previously reported techniques. Results were good or excellent in 175 patients and fair or poor in 15. Complications were not severe and were easily remedied. This success rate is comparable to rates reported for other minimally invasive operations on the lumbar spine. This new technique of minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery provides minimal morbidity and a long-term outcome comparable to that of other standard procedures. The added benefits of using standard arthroscopic instrumentation are discussed.