The treatment of highly migrated lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a challenge for percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD). The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and efficacy of PELD for highly migrated LDH via the adjacent interlaminar space. We performed PELD via the adjacent interlaminar space in three patients with radiculopathy caused by highly migrated LDH using a full-endoscopic system (diameter of working channel: 4.1 mm, outer diameter: 6.9 mm). One case had a large interlaminar bone window that did not require enlargement. Enlargement of the bone window in other cases was performed with a 3.5-mm diameter high-speed drill. After the operation, we confirmed pain relief and evacuation of migrated LDH on magnetic resonance imaging in all patients. The mean operative time was 75.3 min, and no complication was observed. PELD via the adjacent interlaminar space is an appropriate operative approach for highly down-migrated LDH. Minimal laminectomy using a high-speed drill is conductive to this approach.
Keywords: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD); highly migrated; interlaminar approach (ILA); lumbar disc herniation (LDH); minimally invasive.