Microcirugía de hernia discal lumbar

What is lumbar disc herniation microsurgery?

It is a selective intervention performed posteriorly to remove neurological compression caused by a vertebral disc defect.

They require a correct etiological diagnosis and an assessment of whether there is instability in the segment to be treated, as well as ruling out secondary diagnoses and assessing whether or not neurological complications exist.

Indications for microsurgery of lumbar disc herniation

This intervention is mostly indicated for herniated discs at the lumbar level.

These injuries can produce both central stenosis and foraminal stenosis and give very specific symptoms depending on the level at which the compression is located and is justified by a failure in conservative treatment or constant and evolving neurological affectation.

It is very important to ensure that there is no instability, as it can have negative repercussions after treatment.

An experienced surgeon understands these concepts very well and will have provided an accurate diagnosis and explained the therapeutic alternatives in your case before proposing this treatment.

How is spinal microsurgery performed?

It is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia, for which a preoperative study with the anesthesiologist is necessary and can be carried out a few days before.

During the procedure, a fluoroscope is also used to locate the area to be treated, marking it before the incision and using it to monitor the procedure to avoid errors and treat unaffected segments.

 El procedimiento suele durar entre 30-50 min, en promedio y consiste en el retiro del disco que produce los problemas.

Pre- and post-consumer recommendations

Before performing this procedure, a proper medical evaluation and appropriate lumbar support with posterior reinforcement are recommended.

El procedimiento tiene distintos protocolos que irán especificados según el estado de salud del paciente.

It is an outpatient procedure, and discharge is made on the same day of the intervention (4-6 hours later). Patients are advised to rest for 15 days, as well as receive medical treatment to treat the inflammation caused by the intervention.

Follow-up to a microsurgical removal of a herniated disc

After 15 days after the intervention, the surgical team will assess your progress and your postoperative period can begin to be integrated with muscle strengthening measures, nutritional recommendations or radiographic control with 2 assessments planned at one month and at 3 months after the intervention, although, if necessary, the patient's situation will be assessed at all times, especially if circumstances outside the protocol may arise such as falls at home, hernia recurrence, surgical wound infections or pain that is difficult to manage due to intolerance to medication or side effects to medications.