Percutaneous Discectomy, Nucleectomy

Aspiration of intervertebral disc tissue through a 3 mm diameter tube, which is inserted posteriorly under fluoroscopic guidance and local anesthesia, through the skin (percutaneously) into the disc space. The disc material is removed using forceps or burrs, or fragmented using laser energy. The procedure is effective only when the disc herniation is still contained within the disc space.