Is an endoscopic discectomy a good suggestion for people with a herniated disk?

Sometimes: Several surgeons use an endoscope to do the disc removal while many more use a microscope. As long as the surgeon is well trained in the procedure then it is a viable (although less common) option.

No, usually not: There is little difference between endoscopic and microscopic treatments of herniated discs when both are done properly. Many endoscopic disc operations, however, only remove disc from the center of the disc space and not the piece that is directly pressing on the nerve. In addition, the visualization with the microscope is far better than the endoscope.

It is an option : Surgery is an option for a disc herniation causing primarily leg pain if you have failed 12 weeks of nonop care including: medication, exercise/physical therapy and possibly epidural steroid injections. If the disc herniation on imaging matches your symptoms & clinical findings, an endoscopic surgery is an option with good results in most people who are in shape and are non smokers.

Anatomy: This depends on your anatomy and the location of the disc herniation. Certain types of disc herniations are ideally approached using an endoscopic technique.