Extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations: microsurgical anatomy and surgical approach.

Object: Familiarity with the microsurgical anatomy of the far-lateral compartment is essential for operating in patients with far-lateral discs. In this report the authors address the microsurgical anatomy studied in 24 extraforaminal lumbar disc spaces in three cadavers.

Methods: Cadaveric dissections confirmed the authors' operative experience in which they found an arterial arcade to be associated with the nerve trunk.