TRANSLAMINAR LUMBAR EPIDURAL ENDOSCOPY - ANATOMY, TECHNIQUE, AND INDICATIONS

This article describes a new technique to achieve access to the epidur al space via a direct posterior portal. This minimally invasive techni que allows treatment of disc protrusions and extrusions with full visu alization and minimal dissection of the paraspinal musculature. Hemost asis, visualization, and triangulation is performed with standard arth roscopic instrumentation. The anatomy of, indications for, and advanta ges of this technique are described.