Percutaneous

Percutaneous refers to a minimally invasive method of surgery. In this procedure, a needle is inserted through the skin or a small incision is made. A series of progressively larger tubes are inserted to carefully widen the surrounding tissues, allowing access to afflicted internal organs or other soft tissues. In an endoscopic percutaneous procedure, a tiny camera (endoscope) on the end of a long tube is inserted, which can be outfitted with micro instruments. The endoscope sends real-time images from inside the body during the procedure to be viewed on a monitor in the operating room. Percutaneous methods are often an attractive alternative for patients who would otherwise need open back or neck surgery, which involves cutting through skin, muscle, and other tissues to gain full access to the area needing surgical treatment.

Percutaneous procedures can generally be performed under local anesthesia and deep IV sedation instead of general anesthesia. Local anesthesia is the application or injection of a numbing medication in a particular area of the body, yet the numbing medication does not render the patient unconscious. Deep IV sedation might also be used to relax the patient during the procedure. Conversely, general anesthesia is used in more complex medical procedures and leaves the patient in a state of unconsciousness throughout the surgery.

Additionally, during a percutaneous procedure, the soft tissues (such as skin and muscle) are relatively undisturbed, making it a viable option for people wanting little cosmetic damage, less risk, and a quick recovery.

Types of Percutaneous Procedures for the Spine

There are several kinds of minimally invasive procedures used to diagnose and treat conditions throughout the body, including spinal conditions. Examples of percutaneous procedures for the spine include:

• Discectomy – the removal of one or more damaged discs of cartilage between the vertebrae.
• Nucleotomy – the partial removal of inner disc material, called the nucleus pulposus, to shift pressure away from an impinged nerve root or spinal cord.
• Foraminotomy – the removal of material blocking the vertebral foramina, or the canals that nerve roots exit through as they branch off the spinal cord.
• Laminotomy – the partial removal of the lamina, or a small piece of vertebral bone that arches around and protects the spinal cord.

Laser Spine Institute

Spinal conditions such as spinal stenosis, or a bulging or herniated disc, may be causing you unending pain. If you’ve tried conservative treatments and want to learn more about how a percutaneous procedure might help you find relief, contact Laser Spine Institute for a complimentary review of your MRI or CT scan. Our orthopedic experts are trained in state-of-the-art endoscopic procedures that have helped tens of thousands of people rediscover their lives without back and neck pain.