How I do it? Extraforaminal lumbar interbody fusion assisted with biportal endoscopic technique

• Published in: Acta neurochirurgica Vol. 163; no. 1; pp. 295 - 299
• Main Authors: Kang, Min-Seok, Chung, Hoon-Jae, Jung, Ho-Jung, Park, Hyun-Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vienna Springer Vienna 2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Decompression; Decompression, Surgical - instrumentation; Decompression, Surgical - methods; Endoscopes; Endoscopy; Endoscopy - instrumentation; Endoscopy - methods; Female; How I Do it - Spine degenerative; Humans; Interventional Radiology; Lumbar Vertebrae - surgery; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Minimally Invasive Surgery; Neurology; Neuroradiology; Neurosurgery; Spinal Fusion - instrumentation; Spinal Fusion - methods; Spinal Stenosis - surgery; Spine degenerative; Stenosis; Surgical Orthopedics; Segmental instability; Foraminal stenosis; Extraforaminal lumbar interbody fusion; Biportal endoscopic technique; Degenerative spondylolisthesis
• ISSN: 0001-6268; 0942-0940
• DOI: 10.1007/s00701-020-04435-1

Background
The biportal endoscope-assisted unilateral foraminal approach is an option for various foraminal pathologies. Lumbar interbody fusion is the standard treatment for foraminal stenosis because both direct and indirect neural decompressions can be obtained.
Method
We used the biportal endoscopic technique for extraforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (BE-EFLIF) and have described the steps, with discussion regarding the indications, advantages, possible complications, and ways to overcome complications.
Conclusion
BE-EFLIF achieves direct neural decompression of lateral spinal canal under endoscopic visualization. It achieves indirect neural decompression using a large footprint lordotic interbody cage, while preserving the lumbar posterior arch as much as possible.