How Is It Performed Technically?
The surgeon enters through a millimetre-scale working channel to the fragment compressing the nerve root; the magnified endoscopic view allows the target to be seen directly. The back muscles are spread rather than cut and detached, and the bony structure is largely left in place. In suitable anatomy the procedure stays focused and surgical trauma is kept limited.
In Which Anatomical Picture Is It Chosen?
The technique is a strong option in single-level herniations that clearly compress the nerve. The decision turns on the location and character of the herniation, the degree of any accompanying canal stenosis, whether the same segment has been operated before, and the overall alignment of the spine. Where there is wide canal stenosis or marked instability, UBE or microsurgery is considered instead.
What to Expect Afterwards
Because the work spares tissue, early mobilisation is possible in many suitable cases, while return to daily activity is planned in stages. The pace is shaped by the chosen technique, the size and position of the herniation, and the patient's muscle condition. Post-operative exercises that support the core and back are decisive for a lasting result.