# The Microscope and the Tubular System: Trend or Real Benefit in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Disc Herniation?

**Authors:** Antonio Sosa Najera, Alejandro Ceja, Raul Huato Reyes, Tommy C Junior Quispe Pari, Carlos Morales Valencia

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.99980 · 2025-12-23

## TL;DR

This paper discusses the benefits of using a microscope in minimally invasive spinal surgery for treating lumbar spine issues.

## Contribution

It highlights the advantages of tubular microdiscectomy in reducing tissue injury and postoperative infections.

## Key findings

- The microscope improves surgical visualization and ergonomics.
- Tubular microdiscectomy causes less muscle injury and tissue retraction.
- It is effective for treating lumbar disc herniation and spinal stenosis.

## Abstract

The use of the microscope in minimally invasive spinal surgery has contributed to improvements, as it provides the surgeon with a better view of the surgical field, due to the magnification, depth, and better illumination of anatomical structures of vital importance for the patient's functionality, and also supports the ergonomics of the patient and surgeon within the surgical act. Tubular microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that works through a small incision, with less injury to the paraspinal muscles, less tissue retraction, and, therefore, less probability of producing postoperative infections. It can be applied in different pathologies of the lumbar spine and is an effective surgical technique for the treatment of lumbar disc pathology and spinal stenosis, with the benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** lumbar spinal stenosis (MONDO:0005965)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Herniation (MESH:D004677), postoperative (MESH:D019106), infections (MESH:D007239), Spinal Stenosis (MESH:D013130), lumbar disc pathology (MESH:C535531)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12828289/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12828289