Microscopic / Endoscopic Disc Surgery Hospital in Mumbai, India

We at the Microscopic / Endoscopic Disc Surgery Unit at the Centre for Neurosciences believe in offering super-specialty tertiary care to patients suffering from a condition of the herniated or degenerative disc in the lower spine. Our team of experts at the unit is committed to providing state-of-the-art treatment and exceptionally compassionate care to patients, using minimally invasive techniques when doing surgery for the removal of a herniated disc. The process is known as Discectomy. A herniated disc refers to a problem with one of the rubbery cushions (discs) between the individual bones (vertebrae) that stack up to make your spine.

In most cases, a herniated disc occurs in your lower back (lumbar spine) and a patient might experience symptoms such as arm or leg pain, numbness or tingling, weakness, etc. Disc herniation is most often the result of gradual, aging-related wear and tear called disc degeneration. With age, your spine disc starts losing some of its water content thereby making it less flexible and more prone to rupturing even with a minor twist. Our surgeons hold surgical excellence and innovative abilities in performing both Microscopic Disc Surgery & Endoscopic Disc Surgery at the unit by following a minimally invasive approach. Our unit is equipped with the latest techniques and technology to improve care for people with the herniated or degenerative disc.

We perform discectomy on patients who are experiencing severe leg pain (for at least over six weeks) and have failed the conservative treatments such as oral steroids, NSAID’s (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and physical therapy.

Body Location

The spine

How is a microscopic discectomy performed?

A minimally invasive surgery, it is performed using a special microscope to remove lumbar (low back) herniated disc, pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord. The microscope is inserted into the affected area by making a small incision. It provides a larger view of the disc and the surrounding nerves to the surgeon for performing Discectomy, without causing any damage to surrounding tissues. The surgery is performed under the effect of anaesthesia where a small portion of the bone above the disc material or nerve root is removed before removing the herniated disc. This allows surgeons to have a better view of a herniated disc.

How is an endoscopic discectomy performed?

It is a spine surgery technique that involves the use of an endoscope to treat herniated, extruded, protruded, or degenerative discs. With the help of an endoscope, the surgeon gains access to herniated disc by making a “keyhole” incision. This excellent visualisation via the endoscope helps the surgeon in selectively removing a portion of the herniated nucleus pulposus without any tissue destruction or postoperative pain in the leg or back.

The surgery is performed under local anaesthesia using a small tubular device (a guidewire) that is inserted to the affected disc under fluoroscopic guidance. An obturator tube is then passed over the guidewire to push apart the tissue down to the disc and thereby moving the nerve root out. The surgeon uses various small instruments through the working sleeve to remove degenerative and extruded portions of the disc nucleus without cutting any muscles or bone during the procedure.

How can one prepare for it?

It is advised patients come to the hospital the evening before their surgery. A battery of physical, blood and imaging tests will be taken to ensure the patient is fit for surgery. If the patient is a smoker, they must stop a week at least before surgery. Pre surgery, the patient will not be allowed to eat the night before. On the day of surgery, their back will be shaved to create a sterile field.

What are the risks involved? What is recovery like?

A discectomy is a safe alternative when non-surgical options have not been able to provide relief. However, some risks associated with this surgery are:

Nerve Injury
Recurrence of disc herniation
Infections
Anesthesia reactions

It is advised the day after the surgery the patient tries to sit up, but not for more than twenty minutes at a stretch. The recovery time for a microscopic/endoscopic discectomy can vary anywhere between 1-8 weeks, depending on the activity levels of the patients. Physical therapy and rehabilitation can make things easier and aid in recovery.