Spinal microdiscectomy
An innovative and minimally invasive method of treating spine diseases
Discectomy is one of the most commonly performed spinal surgery procedures, used to treat spinal discopathy (cervical and lumbar). The procedure involves removing a piece of intervertebral disc that is pressing on a nerve root, causing pain that radiates to a limb.
Neurosurgeons from Vratislavia Medica use a minimally invasive method of treatment of spinal discopathy – microdiscectomy that significantly minimises the extent of interference in the osteoarticular system of the spine compared to classical laminectomy. A patient undergoing minimally invasive surgery is verticalised on the first day, is fully independent on the following day and is discharged home.
Indications for treatment
- symptomatic herniation (bulging) of the intervertebral disc manifested by pain in the lower part of the spine and/or radiating to the lower limb in the case of lumbar discopathy or by pain radiating to the arm/hand in the case of cervical discopathy
- the appearance of neurological deficits (sensory disturbances, movement disorders) in the lower or upper limbs due to a bulging intervertebral disc
- lack of effects of conservative treatment lasting at least 3-4 weeks (pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy)
If you would like more information about the procedure contact your treatment coordinator:
Marcelina Pałka
phone +48 885 881 493
m.palka@vratislavia-medica.pl
or
Registration and information
phone +48 71 387 66 00
Course of surgery
The microdiscectomy procedure is usually carried out under general anaesthesia with the patient positioned on their abdomen. After incising the skin to a length of about 2-4cm and separating the paraspinal muscles, the neurosurgeon, using specialist surgical instrumentation, exposes the posterior surface of the vertebral arches. He then cuts the yellow ligament that protects the contents of the spinal canal, opening the lumen of the spinal canal. After pushing back the dural sac containing the nerve roots, the neurosurgeon removes the disc fragment responsible for the pressure on the nerve root. After removing the hernia, in many cases the doctor uses an anti-inflammatory drug to minimise the risk of connective tissue scarring. The procedure is carried out using an operating microscope, so the operator has an excellent view of the surgical field with a small incision.
Main benefits of using microdiscectomy
- minimally invasive procedure
- minimal interference with the musculoskeletal system
- the gold standard for the treatment of intervertebral disc bulging/herniation
- quick verticalization – already the same day
- quick return to work
Possible complications after microdiscectomy include:
The microdiscectomy procedure, like any medical procedure, can have a risk of complications, but these are rare.
The most common postoperative complications, which very often subside completely:
- lack of improvement and persistence of complaints
- damage to the root accompanied by pain, numbness or muscle weakness in the limb
- occasionally cerebrospinal fluid leakage
- infection – in patients with associated conditions such as diabetes
Procedure duration:
20-45 minutes
Verticalization of the patient:
on the day of procedure
Recovery period:
restriction of physical activity for about 30 days
Hospital discharge:
the day after the treatment
Specialists performing this procedure
Associate Professor
Grzegorz Miękisiak, MD, Ph.D.
Maciej Miś, MD, Ph.D.
Tomasz Szczepański, MD
Krzysztof Chmielak, MD
Dariusz Podgórski, MD
