Table 2

Summary features of endoscopic lumbar decompression.22,24,64,76–92

Procedure	Summary Features
Endoscopic Microdiscectomy	Indications ● Lumbar disc herniation resulting in neurological deficits and radiculopathy not responding to conservative management
	Contraindications ● Severe facet joint arthritis or active infection ● Severe central canal stenosis requiring extensive decompression than provided by microdiscectomy
	Approaches ● Interlaminar or Transforaminal
	Advantages ● Reduced soft tissue and bony trauma ● Smaller incision and improved visualization of the surgical site ● Shorter LOS in hospital and faster recovery
	Disadvantages ● Steep learning curve ● Potential for limited access to complex herniations or multi-level diseases increasing risk of incomplete decompression
Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Foraminotomies (TELF)	Indications ● Foraminal stenosis with nerve root compression ● Lateral recess stenosis caused by disc herniation
	Contraindications ● Necessity for more extensive decompression due to severe central canal stenosis ● Severe facet joint arthritis or active infection
	Approaches ● Transforaminal
	Advantages ● Improved visualization of neural structures along with smaller incisions resulting in reduced soft tissue trauma ● Enhanced preservation of structures around surgical site and improved postoperative spinal stability
	Disadvantages ● Reduced access to central canal ● Challenging to achieve full decompression in severe cases of foraminal stenosis
Endoscopic Unilateral Laminotomy for Bilateral Decompression (ULBD)	Indications ● Symptomatic disc herniation not responding to conservative management ● Lumbar spinal stenosis resulting in bilateral neural compression
	Contraindications ● Severe central canal stenosis requiring more invasive approaches to achieve adequate decompression ● Significant spinal instability such as vertebral fractures or severe spondylolisthesis ● Severe facet joint arthritis or active infection
	Approaches ● Typically interlaminar
	Advantages ● Preservation of contralateral structures due to unilateral approach for bilateral decompression ● Smaller incisions, reduced soft tissue trauma, quicker recovery, and shorter in hospital LOS
	Disadvantages ● Steep learning curve ● Limited access to central canal

Abbreviations: LOS, length of stay; TELF, transforaminal endoscopic lumbar foraminotomies; ULBD, unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression.