OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the quantitative efficacy of transforaminal lumbar discectomy, through a cadaver study. METHODS: this study used five fresh human cadavers, that underwent L3-L4 and L4-L5 posterolateral discectomy, aiming to remove as much disc material as possible. After that, the remaining disc material was removed through an anterior approach, for further comparison. RESULTS: in L3-L4, transforaminal discectomy allowed the removal of 48% of disc volume, and in L4-L5, 38%. CONCLUSION: although safe and relatively easy to perform, the transforaminal approach does not allow complete discectomy.
Spine; Intervertebral disc displacement; Orthopedic procedures; Diskectomy; Cadaver
