Percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar discectomy (PETD) is one of the surgical techniques for the treatment of the lumbar disc herniations. Fenestration of the annulus and partial resection of the nuclear substance are achieved percutaneously by a posterolateral approach under local anaesthesia. The results of the first 42 patients are evaluated regarding the learning curve and indications for this procedure. The mean follow-up time was 15 months. Excellent and good results were evaluated as successful and the overall success rate is 77 %. All six patients with foraminal disc herniations in whom a free fragment could be removed had excellent results. Military personnel can return to work quickly without deficits with the use of this technique.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 22 patients having orbital penetrating gunshot wounds treated over a 4-years period. The neurological status and the site of injury for each patient are evaluated in this study. We propose a practical protocol in the management of these orbital foreign bodies. Surgical treatment was performed in 4 patients (had functional deficit) with medial orbitotomy in 2, lateral orbitotomy in 1, and superior orbitotomy in 1. 3 of them are improved, in one case the blindness has been continued. 18 patients were treated conservatively and all of them are improved. All patients were followed-up for 2 years with cranial X-rays and CT scans. Neurological sequelae were regressed which existed before the surgery. In conservatively treated cases, infection, migration and functional deficit were not seen. In conclusion, orbital penetrating gunshot wounds must be evaluated precisely by the surgeon and this evaluation sets the guidelines for management. The operation should be reserved for the patients in whom the necrotic soft tissues or orbital damages restrict ocular movements.

The clinical study consisted of 27 patients and 30 hands that were operated on with the biportal endoscopic carpal tunnel release technique between 2000 and 2002. The mean follow-up time was 28 months. The time to return to work or complete recovery was found to average 12 days. The rate of functional recovery was 93% (27 hands), and 90% of hands (26 hands) were free of symptoms at the time of publication. According to our study, we conclude that the biportal endoscopic technique is an effective method to attain patient comfort; it is a minimally invasive method with a low complication rate in experienced hands for surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Military persons can return to work quickly, without deficits in hand skills, with the use of this technique.