Minimally invasive far lateral tubular microdiscectomy: surgical technique and case series of 176 patients.

Background: Far lateral (extraforaminal) disc herniations comprise approximately 10% of symptomatic lumbar disc herniations. They represent operative challenges due to accessibility and surgical unfamiliarity. Surgical strategies in the past have included open discectomy and posterior lumbar interbody fusion.

The efficacy of post-operative drains for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Controversy remains with the use of post-operative subfascial drains for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, with limited guidelines and a paucity of conclusive evidence. Thus, the aim of this meta-analysis was to analyse and collate an evidence summary to determine the efficacy of such drains.

Methods: A systematic search of Medline (2002-2022.