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Percutaneous Laser Discectomy

Percutaneous discectomy including percutaneous laser discectomy is performed in the lumbar spine for a particular type of herniated disc known as a contained herniation.

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There are actually four different types of disc herniations: a disc bulge, a protruded or contained herniation, an extruded disc herniation, and a sequestered disc herniation. The disc bulge and contained herniation means that the outer walls or rings of the disc are still intact and the herniation is still in contact with the inner nucleus of the disc where it normally belongs. When this occurs, there is a good chance that the herniated part of the disc can be removed from inside of the disc by either sucking it out, pulling it out, or vaporizing it with a laser. A percutaneous discectomy is performed minimally invasively by inserting a special probe into the disc space through a small puncture hole and performing the laser discectomy. It must be done using television x-ray to make sure the probe is at the proper level and location. The percutaneous discectomy is usually not as effective if significant degeneration of the disc is present or if the herniation of disc material is already out of the disc space. Therefore, it is most effective in younger patients up to fifty years of age in general.

Percutaneous Laser Discectomy can treat the following conditions:

Herniated Intervertebral Disc