Minimally Invasive Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Spinal Endoscope Assistance: Technical Note

Objective The purpose of this report is to describe the surgical methodology and effectiveness of minimally invasive oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) assisted by spinal endoscopy, which can treat disk herniation from the central to contralateral foramen. OLIF showed indirect decompression effects on reduction of spondylolisthesis and a foraminal widening effect on disk height restoration. Methods In this study, the indirect decompression effect of OLIF was augmented by direct endoscopic decompression and spinal endoscopy for removal of herniated disk materials. Results Twelve patients with confirmed degenerative lumbar stenosis, herniated lumbar disks, and degenerative spondylolisthesis were treated using OLIF with spinal endoscopic discectomy. Direct ventral decompression was achieved by removal of herniated disk materials. The symptoms of all patients improved postoperatively. Conclusions OLIF with spinal endoscopic discectomy can achieve neural decompression without additional posterior decompression and can be used as an alternative treatment in selected cases.