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The goal of the percutaneous discectomy is to achieve pain relief through the removal of damaged material that is placing pressure on the nerve root or spinal cord.
When a traditional percutaneous arthroscopic laser discectomy is preformed, the surgeon is aided with the use of X-Ray monitoring and fiber optics that result in a picture being displayed on a monitor. With this technique the surgeon is able to follow the progress in a real time environment seeing the nerve that is being compressed by the herniated disc material. This allows the surgeon the ability to be certain that the material he or she is vaporizing with the laser is correct and providing a much higher rate of success.
A percutaneous discectomy is preformed without the need for general anesthesia. Because of this the procedure is able to be preformed in an outpatient surgical setting.
Percutaneous Arthroscopic Laser Discectomy - The Procedure
The patient is administered a local anesthetic and then the surgeon begins the procedure with a small incision in the back. Through this incision a round Depuy tube is inserted into the patient. When this tube is placed through the incision the muscles and surrounding tissues are gently pushed aside instead of being cut or torn. This allows for the procedure to be performed with minimal damage to the surround area.
A laser, camera, irrigation and suction tool, along with various other surgical instruments is inserted through the tube. The surgeon will then vaporize the problem disc material through the use of the laser once all these tools are in place. The removal of the disc material relieves the pressure on the spinal cord and/or spinal nerve. During the surgery many patients will feel immediate relief as the material is removed and pressure is relieved. Once the procedure has been completed the surgeon removes the tube slowly, which allows the muscles to naturally move back into place.
Compared to many procedures a percutaneous arthroscopic laser discectomy is quite short in duration. The procedure take thirty to forty-five minutes to perform and a quick recovery is sure to follow. The patient is free to leave as long as they are accompanied by a companion after they have been monitored for one or two hours.
Generally speaking the patient will be encouraged to take a long walk the afternoon or evening following their procedure. The next day the patient will return for a post-operative visit to get clearance from the doctor to return home.
Listed below are the advantages to having minimally invasive back surgery
- Minimally invasive surgery can be preformed with no need for general anesthesia and can be completed in an outpatient surgical environment.
- Minimally invasive techniques do not require spinal fusion.
- High rate of success due to the real time monitoring.
- Patients will quickly return to their day to day activities due to the short recuperation time required.
- Produces minimal scar tissue in the back.
If this procedure is not right for your back condition, there are many other forms of minimally invasive back surgery that may help you.