Microdiscectomy Surgery – Procedure, Complications and Alternatives

A microdiscectomy surgery is used to treat a herniated intervertebral disc. It is most commonly performed on the lumbar (lower) region of the spine. During this procedure, a portion of bone or disc material is removed in order to provide relief to an impinged nerve root in the spinal column.

Microdiscectomy Procedure

A microdiscectomy is characterized by a small incision and the use of an operating microscope to visualize the affected nerve root. The video microscope typically transmits video feed to a monitor in the operating room. Very simply, this procedure is performed in the following manner:

• A small incision is made in the midline of the back.
• The back muscles are gently lifted from the lamina (no cutting is required).
• The ligamentum flavum (a ligament that connects the vertebrae) is removed.
• An endoscope is used to identify the affected nerve root.
• A portion of the bony structure or disc material that is pressing on the spinal nerve is removed.

Since the back muscles are not cut during this procedure, patients typically experience a relatively fast recovery time. Many patients experience relief immediately following a microdiscectomy while some will experience lingering pain for a few additional weeks.

Complications

All surgeries present some risk for complications and a microdiscectomy is no exception. Some of the common complications associated with this procedure include infection, additional damage to the spinal nerve and a cerebrospinal fluid leak. Patients should consult a doctor or surgeon for assistance in weighing the risks and benefits of this procedure.

Alternatives

An outpatient endoscopic procedure performed at Laser Spine Institute may be used as an alternative means for treating a herniated disc. Contact Laser Spine Institute for more information on our procedures – including our percutaneous endoscopic discectomy – and to receive a free review of your MRI or CT scan.