What type of study is this?

August 22, 2025Open Access

How I do it—tubular trans-spinous process muscle-sparing approach for bilateral lumbar microdiscectomy: surgical technique with illustrative video

ACAnthony ChauProvidence Health Care ALAaron LerchThe University of Queensland

Key Points

Postoperative pain resolved quickly, with the patient discharged home the next day after surgery.
Bilateral microdiscectomy achieved significant lateral recess exposure through a minimally invasive method.
The surgical technique utilized a tubular trans-spinous process approach, ensuring muscle preservation during the procedure.
Clinical improvement was sustained at the six-week follow-up for the patient undergoing this technique.

Abstract

Abstract This video demonstrates our surgical approach for an entirely tubular trans-spinous process bilateral lumbar discectomy. A 47-year-old man presented with 12 months of severe predominantly right L5 radiculopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large diffuse disc bulge at L4/5 resulting in bilateral lateral recess and central stenosis. He underwent bilateral discectomies via a trans-spinous process tubular approach. Postoperatively, his pain resolved and was discharged home the following day. Clinical resolution was sustained at 6 weeks. An entirely tubular trans-spinous process technique for lumbar decompression provides excellent bilateral lateral recess exposure through a minimally invasive muscle-sparing approach.

KI fragen

Bookmark

View Full Paper