Unlike lumbar spine surgery that requires a surgical cut about 2 to 5 inches long, microdiskectomy is less invasive, and done using a very small surgical cut about about 1 to 1 ½ inches long.
Description
Microdiskectomy is done in a hospital or outpatient surgical center while you are under local anesthesia (awake but pain-free) or general anesthesia (asleep and pain-free).
A special high-powered microscope magnifies the affected disk(s) and nerves, and guides the doctor during surgery.
The surgeon makes a small cut on your back and moves the back muscles away from the spine. After identifying and moving the nerve root, the surgeon removes the injured disk tissue and fragments. The back muscles are placed back into the normal position, and the wound is closed with stitches or staples.
Why the Procedure is done
Spinal microdiskectomy is done to relieve nerve pain and pressure. It may be performed in patients with the following conditions:
Cauda equina syndrome Herniated lumbar disk