BACKGROUND: Traditional midline microdiscectomy risks paraspinal muscle devascularization/denervation, particularly of the multifidus. We evaluated a standardized lateral-to-spinous Wiltse-interval tubular microdiscectomy (ULTRA, fixed 10-mm tube) designed to minimize muscle injury while maintaining microscopic control. We report 30-day safety and early functional outcomes from an 8-year, single-surgeon series. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained, single-center registry of consecutive single-level lumbar discectomies (L2-L3 to L5-S1) undertaken from January 2017 to May 2024 using a fixed 10-mm tubular retractor through the lateral-to-spinous Wiltse corridor under microscopy. Primary endpoints were 30-day complications, readmissions, and reoperations; secondary endpoints included operative time, length of stay, same-day discharge, and change in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The study was Institutional Review Board approved, and consent was waived. RESULTS: = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: A 10-mm lateral-to-spinous (Wiltse) tubular approach enables rapid decompression with low early morbidity and large early functional gains. Properly repaired intraoperative dural tears did not worsen short-term outcomes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings support routine outpatient use of a 10-mm Wiltse corridor for lumbar disc herniation and provide benchmark 30-day rates for counseling and quality assurance.
Mindea et al. (2026) studied this question.