|
Discectomy is the medical term for removal of the intervertebral disc. The disc is a soft, supportive cushion between two vertebral bones. Discectomy may be needed for patients who have a herniated disc that does not respond to conservative (nonsurgical) care.
There are several techniques surgeons can use to take the disc out. Some of the differences in the various procedures are in the amount of disc removed or how the disc material is taken out.
During a subtotal discectomy, the surgeon removes the entire soft nucleus (inner core) of the disc. Part of the vertebral bone called the lamina is removed first. This procedure is called a laminectomy. By removing a piece of the bone, the surgeon can gain access to the disc.
Microdiscectomy is done with an operating microscope. A hole is drilled in the lamina to allow the surgeon to insert small instruments into the area around the disc. Only fragments of the disc that are found are removed. The rest of the nucleus is left intact.
Both methods are acceptable ways to surgically treat this problem. The choice may depend on surgeon preference and experience.
|
