New ipsilateral full endoscopic interlaminar approach for L5-S1 foraminal and extraforaminal decompression: technique description and initial case series.

Background: The L5-S1 interlaminar access described in 2006 by Ruetten et al. represented a paradigm shift and a new perspective on endoscopic spinal approaches. Since then, the spinal community has shown that both the traditional ipsilateral and novel contralateral interlaminar approaches to the L5-S1 foramen are good alternatives to transforaminal access.