Working Cannula-Based Endoscopic Foraminoplasty: A Technical Note

PURPOSE: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is a minimally invasive disc surgery that can be performed under local anesthesia and requires only an eight-mm skin incision. For the patients with lumbar foraminal stenosis, the migrated disc is difficult to remove with a simple transforaminal approach. In such cases, the foraminoplasty techniques can be used. However, obtaining efficient foramen enlargement while minimizing radiation exposure and protecting the nerves can be challenging. METHODS: In this study, we propose a new technique called the Kiss-Hug maneuver. Under endoscopic viewing, we used the bevel tip of a working cannula as a bone reamer to enlarge the foramen. This allowed us to efficiently enlarge the lumbar foramen endoscopically without the redundancy and complications associated with reamers or trephines. RESULTS: Details of the four steps of the Kiss-Hug maneuver are reported along with adverse events. The advantages of this new technique include minimizing radiation exposure to both the surgeon and the patient and decreasing the overall operation time. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic Kiss-Hug maneuver is a useful and reliable foraminoplasty technique that can enhance the efficiency of foraminoplasty while ensuring patient safety and reducing radiation exposure.