Foraminoplastic ventral epidural approach for removal of extruded herniated fragment at the L5-S1 level.

The 'foraminoplastic' ventral epidural approach and its advantages in the treatment of extruded disk herniation at the L5-S1 level are described. Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy is a minimally invasive procedure applicable to various types of lumbar disk herniation, but the L5-S1 disk space is still challenging to access due to anatomic limitations such as high iliac crest or severely narrowed foramen. The 'foraminoplastic' ventral epidural approach was performed in 25 patients with herniated disk radiculopathy at L5-S1 from March 2003 to May 2004.

Percutaneous endoscopic laser annuloplasty for discogenic low back pain.

Background: Laser-assisted spinal endoscopy (LASE) kit has been used for percutaneous intradiscal decompression to evaporate and shrink the posterior and central nucleus for improvement of leg and radicular pain due to contained disc herniation. Percutaneous endoscopic laser annuloplasty (PELA), a new minimally invasive technique, uses LASE to directly coagulate the inflamed disc granulation tissue associated with annular tears. The small diameter of the endoscope including Ho:YAG laser, irrigation, and light, plus the extreme posterolateral approach into the posterior annulus, enables one to minimize damage to normal nuclear tissue.

CHARITE versus ProDisc: a comparative study of a minimum 3-year follow-up.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objectives: To evaluate and compare clinical and radiologic outcomes of the CHARITE and ProDisc.

Summary Of Background Data: There is no clinical report comparing CHARITE and ProDisc.

Early clinical and radiologic outcomes of cervical arthroplasty with Bryan Cervical Disc prosthesis.

Among 61 patients underwent disc replacement with the Bryan prosthesis, 47 patients were followed more than 3 months and their clinical and radiologic data were retrospectively analyzed to clarify very early clinical and radiologic outcomes and complications of disc arthroplasty with the Bryan Cervical Disc prosthesis during the learning period. Mean follow-up period was 6 months. Mean age was 45.