Percutaneous lumbar discectomy. An alternative to lumbar laminectomy.

Percutaneous lumbar discectomy demonstrates how technology is improving medicine. The procedure allows the patient to have lumbar disc surgery without all the risks involved with open back surgery. It is relatively noninvasive, decreases operating time, and allows use of local anesthesia which reduces chances of infection, postoperative complications, and cost. With proper patient selection and correct surgical technique, percutaneous lumbar discectomy has the potential to be an alternative to laminectomy for uncomplicated herniated disc surgery.