Endoscopic disc procedures allow us to treat a herniated disc more safely and in a more tissue-preserving way as compared to spine surgery. By this, it means that the nerves which run through the spinal canal remain completely untouched and injuries, adhesions and other complications are hence avoided. Also the intervertebral ligaments that stabilize the spinal column stay intact. This helps in early recovery and shorter length of stay in the hospital as compared to surgery.
Under local anesthesia, an optical endoscope is inserted through a small incision in the skin. It is equipped with tiny working cannulas and is carefully pushed torwards the site of the disc prolapse under fluoroscopic guidance. Once the endoscope is in proper position, the extruded disc tissue can be removed under sight control. Protruding remainders are eliminated by means of a special laser nucleolyser. The intervention usually takes 45 minutes to 1 hour.