Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy

Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy Overview:

One of the most common reasons for back pack occurs when a herniated disc or bulging disc apply pressure to a nerve root or directly on the spinal cord. When conventional treatments have failed, a percutaneous endoscopic discectomy can be performed to remove the damaged disc material.

A percutaneous endoscopic discectomy can be performed to correct nerve root compression caused by a herniated disc, bulging disc, pinched nerve and sciatica.

Once the patient’s medical history has been looked over and a physical examination has been performed the doctor can decide whether or not to investigate further with medical imaging. Imaging that will help are a CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. If either of these scans shows signs of a herniated or bulging disc, the procedure can move further with the patient one step closer to finding pain relief
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Although a percutaneous endoscopic discectomy will not aid in treating foraminal stenosis or other boney anomalies such as bone spurs, other minimally invasive techniques such as a foraminotomy may benefit the patient.

A percutaneous endoscopic surgery involves the surgeon making use of X-ray monitoring and fiber optics to give them a real time display of the procedure on a monitor similar to a TV screen. Through this technique success rate increases as the surgeon can see exactly what is compressing the nerve and promptly remove it with the laser.

Because a percutaneous endoscopic discectomy is a minimally invasive procedure, the patient is not required to be put under general anesthesia. Without general anesthesia the procedure can be performed in an outpatient surgical setting avoiding a long hospital stay.

Procedure for a percutaneous endoscopic discectomy:

After the patient has been administered a local anesthetic, a small incision is made in their back. Through this incision the doctor will eventually gain access to the spine through a working tube. A Depuy tube is placed in the incision and gradually increased in size by placing larger tubes over it. Through the working tube the surgeon can manipulate the laser, camera, suction, irrigation, and various other surgical instruments. There is very minimal scar tissue that is caused; the tube will push the muscle out of the way instead of cutting or tearing them like in conventional surgeries.

Once the working tube has been secured the surgeon will start the process of using the laser to vaporize the excessive problem material. Once the material has been eradicated the pressure it was placing on the spinal cord or surrounding nerves will cease to exist. Many patients undergoing the procedure will notice pain reduction the instant the surgeon frees the entrapped nerve or decompresses the spinal cord. Once the surgeon is done with the laser, the working tube is slowly removed allowing the surrounding muscles to gently realign with their natural position.

Recovery procedure for percutaneous endoscopic discectomy:

The procedure incredibly enough only takes about half an hour to 45 minutes. Comparing this to many other forms of surgery this is fast! After the surgery is complete the patient will spend the next few hours being monitored before being released in the care of a companion. Most patients are encouraged to take a long walk the afternoon or night of their surgery. The following day they will return to see the doctor and get clearance to return home.

Find out more information on minimally invasive techniques such as a Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy procedure or other spinal fusion alternatives here.

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