Percutaneous Discectomy: Advanced Approach to Spinal Care

Percutaneous discectomy offers several advantages over traditional open surgery. This procedure has no need for an incision, translating to minimal muscle trauma and no expectation of scarring or epidural fibrosis. Patients often experience faster recovery times, allowing them to return to daily activities or work more swiftly. Additionally, the risk and variety of complications is lower, providing a safer option for many patients. However, there are potential risks to consider. Though rare, infection can occur as a discitis or inflammation of the operated disc. Heat transfer can occur from the disc to the nerve can occur during the surgery causing a neuritis in 2%. This causes additional pain in the buttock and leg which resolves in 2-6 weeks. There’s also a chance of disc herniation recurring as with all kinds of discectomy surgery. Understanding these benefits and risks helps in making an informed decision about this minimally invasive surgery.

How We Select the Right Candidates

Selecting candidates for percutaneous discectomy requires a thorough evaluation. The severity of symptoms must be significant enough to impact daily activities. A detailed assessment of the herniated disc’s location and size is essential, along with suitable access to the safe zone of the disc (determined with preoperative imaging) as this determines the procedure’s feasibility. The patient’s overall health and medical history are also factors. Patients should honestly discuss the benefits and risks of percutaneous discectomy with their surgeon. This dialogue helps ensure that all treatment options are carefully weighed and the best plan of action is chosen.