A POSTEROLATERAL MICROSURGICAL APPROACH TO EXTREME-LATERAL LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION

Extreme-lateral lumbar disc herniations present a surgical challenge b ecause the conventional posterior approach requires bone resection for complete visualization of the pathology. The authors have identified constant anatomical landmarks in cadaveric dissections that facilitate access to the intervertebral foramen when combined with a posterolate ral approach, as described by Watkins, for lumbar spinal fusion. The a uthors describe a technique that allows rapid localization and safe ex cision of these extreme-lateral lumbar disc herniations without the ne ed for bone resection.