A Suture Technique for Ruptured Annulus Fibrosus Following Decompression Under Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy

The suture technique for a ruptured annulus fibrosus (AF) under full-endoscopy remains challenging. Direct suturing of a ruptured annular tear after full decompression has been shown to decrease the recurrence rate of lumbar disc herniation during endoscopic surgery. Traditional suture operations under endoscopy involve only simple suturing of the ruptured AF. Due to the weak and poor quality of the AF tissue around the tear portal, using this area as needle insertion points during suturing may lead to insufficient tension and a low success rate of AF closure. Currently, there is no detailed technical illustration based on video for AF tear suturing under lumbar full-endoscopy. We innovatively propose a method of covering and suturing the AF tear by pulling up the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) under lumbar endoscopy and using three stitches (PLL-AF suture technique). The patient who received the novel suture technique achieved satisfactory results. Six months after the operation, lumbar MRI showed no evidence of recurrence in the outpatient clinic.