Several types of percutaneous discectomy:

Automatic Percutaneous Discectomy:

It consists of a device that consists of a console connected to a series of hoses and equipment are introduced into the intervertebral space and an aspiring effect in the center of disc, thus reducing intradiscal pressure. This method is relatively complex and expensive, because each kit is disposable automatic percutaneous discectomy and its cost exceeds $ 1,500. Percutaneous discectomy technique can not be used for all types of disk herniation because if the disc is hard and calcified fibrous or it's not make any improvement.

Percutaneous Discectomy manual or semi-automatic:

It represents a less traumatic option, because the instruments are much thinner, not above 3 or 4 mm at the lumbar level and sometimes 2 or 3 mm at the cervical level. In this case the surgeon inserts very thin and delicate instruments through a small hole in the skin where you intend to treat hernia that produces the lumbo-sciatica or cervical-brachial neuralgia. A check intradiscal with a micro videoendoscopy is performed to visualize the inside of the disc on a monitor that observes the same patient during the operation, ie, the patient sees his own intervention as it's made because it is fully awake. The hole in the skin is so small that it needs sutures at the end of the procedure.

Laser Percutaneous Discectomy:

This procedure is done under local anesthesia with mild sedation. Involves passing a needle through the skin (percutaneous), from behind and slightly lateral to the center of the herniated disc. The position of the needle is constantly controlled with X-rays.

Once the needle has been placed by passing a fiberoptic scope through it to the center of the disc. This instrument allows the neurosurgeon to see the nucleus pulposus and also has another optical fiber conducting the laser beam, with which the disk evaporates. Once the surgeon is sure that the space has occurred in the center of the disk is enough, withdraw the endoscope and the needle.

As the procedure is done under local anesthesia, the patient goes directly to the operating room to her room. Generally leaves walking the hospital the same day, some hours after admission. You can return to work, depending on the job, in 2 to 6 weeks.

Unfortunately not all patients can benefit from this type of surgery depends on the characteristics of the herniated disc. For example, if the disk has broken the annulus (outer ring) and the external ligaments, or there is a fragment of loose disk, you should make a classic discectomy.

Chemonucleolysis or injecting a liquid into the nucleus pulposus that destroyed this is practically obsolete worldwide.