Percutaneous microdecompressive endoscopic cervical discectomy with laser thermodiskoplasty

Objective: To study the surgical outcome of outpatient percutaneous microde compressive endoscopic cervical discectomy with lower energy laser for shri nkage of disc material (thermodiskoplasty). Method: Since 1994, 200 patients with herniated cervical discs have present ed at the authors' clinic, with unilateral radicular pain. The diagnosis wa s confirmed by MRI or CT, and EMG. Results: At an average follow-up of 25 months, 94.5% of the cases had good- to-excellent results. Eleven patients (5.5%) remained symptomatic, with per sistent neck and upper extremity pain associated with paresthesias. There w ere no significant postoperative complications. Average time before returni ng to work was 10 days. Conclusions: Percutaneous microdecompressive endoscopic cervical discectomy with laser thermodiskoplasty has proven to be a safe and efficacious minim ally invasive procedure.