Microdiscectomy and micro-decompression are minimally invasive surgical techniques that are performed to relieve the severe pain caused by a compressed nerve in the lower back. A laminectomy, or decompression of both sides of the spinal canal/nerve roots, can also be achieved in a similar, minimally invasive manner.
This nerve root compression typically results from a disc herniation or spinal stenosis. These operations are among the most commonly performed spinal operations.
The surgery can be performed with a very small incision in the lumbar spine (lower back). A small tubular retractor or another specially designed retractor is then inserted. Under visualization through a sophisticated operating microscope the bone and disc material that are squeezing the nerves are carefully removed using special microsurgical spinal instruments.
This minimally invasive procedure is used to remove overgrown vertebral bone and soft tissue to relieve the compression of nerve roots in the lumbar spine. It is performed through a small incision on the back.
After surgery:
Once the surgery is complete the patient will spend a few hours in the surgical recovery area for monitoring.
- Most patients go home the day of surgery; rarely some may need to spend the night in the hospital for routine monitoring.
All surgical patients at Comprehensive Spine Care are provided with medications prior to the date of surgery with instructions on their post-operative usage. Wound care, medication and diet instructions for after surgery are also provided upon discharge from the hospital and are also available here.
