about the procedure
"DiscectomyDiscectomyOne of the most common surgical procedures for problems in the cervical spine is an anterior cervical discecto..." literally means "remove the disc." A discectomy relieves the pressure on a nerve rootnerve rootThe portion of a spinal nerve in close proximity to its origin from the spinal cord. by removing the herniated discherniated discInjury to the disc may occur when neck motion puts too much pressure on the disc. One of the most painful inju... causing the pressure.
The discectomy procedure is performed through an incisionincisionA cut or surgical wound. down the center of the back over the area of the herniated disc. The muscles are moved to the side so that the surgeon can see the back of the vertebraevertebraeThe individual bones of the spine are the vertebrae. These are the building blocks of the spinal column. The v.... X-rays may be required during surgerysurgeryThe branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of disease, injury, and deformity by operation or manipula... to make sure the correct vertebra is located. The surgeon cuts a small opening through the laminalaminaThe flattened or arched part of the vertebral arch, forming the roof of the spinal canal. The posterior part o... boneboneThe hard tissue that provides structural support to the body. It is primarily composed of hydroxyapatite cryst... on the back of the spinal columnspinal columnSee Spine.. This procedure, called "laminotomylaminotomyAn opening made in a lamina. Formation of a hole in the lamina without disrupting the continuity of the entire...," is used to give the doctor room to see and work inside the spinal canalspinal canalThe bony channel that is formed by the intravertebral foramen of the vertebrae and in which contains the spina....
The nerve roots are moved out of the way. Upon locating the problem disc, the surgeon removes it, easing pressure and irritation on the nerves of the spine. Small instruments that fit inside the disc are used to remove as much of the nucleus as possible. This prevents the remaining disc material from hernia ting in the future.
After the discectomy, the muscles of the back are returned to their normal position around the spine. The skin incision is repaired with sutures or metal staples. In some cases, a discectomy may be combined with a spinal fusionspinal fusionOperative method of strengthening and limiting motion of the spinal column. Can be performed with a variety of..., where the two vertebrae above and below the removed disc are joined together or fused.
microdiscectomy
Improvements have been made in the tools available to the spinal surgeon for performing a laminotomy and discectomy. Microdiscectomy is essentially the same as traditional discectomy, but this newer approach has several advantages. A much smaller incision is need when performing a microdiscectomy. There is less damage to nearby parts of the spine. Patients tend to recover faster.
A small incision is made in the back just above the area where the disc is herniated. Muscles are moved aside to see the vertebrae. The surgeon positions a microscope in the small incision. The remainder of the surgery is performed like the traditional method.
