Discectomy

A discectomy, or partial discectomy, is a surgical procedure used to remove part or all of one or more of the discs that serve to cushion the bony structures of the vertebral column. In some cases, a laminectomy (a procedure in which the bony structure that covers the back of the disc is removed) or partial laminectomy may be required to gain access to the disc and to gain adequate visualization of the affected nerve or nerve root.

Most often, this procedure is used to decompress pressure that is affecting an underlying nerve or the spinal cord. The pressure may be caused by a bone spur, compromised canal space, or a herniated or ruptured, protruding disc or sometimes a spinal tumor. The procedure may be performed under local, spinal, or general anesthesia, and the operation may be performed through an "open" incision or by endoscopic instrumentation.
  • Anterior Cervical Microdiscetomy -- an anterior cervical microdiscetomy (a procedure where the disc is approached from the front) may be performed if there is a cervical degenerative disc problem, stenosis around an exiting nerve root, narrowing around the spinal cord, or a ruptured disc compressing a nerve or spinal cord. In this procedure, the surgery may be done with or without spinal fusion (surgically fusing two or more vertebrae together). 

    • The decision to do spinal fusion is made based on the anatomy above and below the affected area. If there is instability at the area where the decompression needs to be performed, a fusion may be performed. Fusion may also involve internal fixation or placement of metal plates.

    This surgery can also be performed to treat tumors of the bone, tumors of the spinal cord, and at times, more than one disc can be removed, or an entire cervical vertebral body. 
     

  • Lumbar Decompression -- The lumbar decompression can be performed as a single-segment or multilevel surgery where one side or both sides of the lumbar spine can be decompressed, depending on preoperative symptoms, such as leg pain, bowel and bladder dysfunction, or pain and weakness when walking, which can be brought on by spinal stenosis. The lumbar decompression can sometimes be performed without the need for a fusion.

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  • Lumbar Microdiscectomy -- The lumbar microdiscectomy surgery is performed through a very small incision using special instruments to remove the agent causing compression against the nerve.