Microdiscectomy & Microdecompression Surgery

[Ivano]

I have enquired in to Microdiscectomy & Microdecompression Surgery on several healthy page threads but have not had any replies. Can anyone tell me the details of this procedure please?

Is it the new, safer and radical procedure that it seems to be 'or' is it simply NHS rebranding?

Where is it carried out? and by who?

Have the long term clinical outcomes been good?

Any information welcomed please!

SPINELF

 

[Sierra]

Microdiscectomy & Microdecompression Surgery

I found out from a link from another previous post, that these procedures are simply 'less destructive' versions of 'standard laminectomies' there is reduced incision sizes and an attempt to avoid cutting muscle, which is a step in the right direction. However, they may still cut muscle and always cut a window in the lamina and hereby damaging the connecting tissue and neves and destablising the spinal column. This would account for some of the residual pain some patients are left with. As with standard laminectomies, the best clinical outcomes are offered by the most dilligent and caring Surgeons, as this procedure's outcomes still seem to be patchy at best.


SPINELF

 

[NoLuv4Hoes]

Microdiscectomy & Microdecompression Surgery

ooh, sounds like I have been offered a very destructive op then, hmm, no chance lol wheres the link, did I miss it?

 

[Aloodanis]

Microdiscectomy & Microdecompression Surgery

I hope I don't panic you over the procedure offered to you Cassie, but I am not overly impressed by what I have seen, for your peace of mind, push your Consultant for more details to make sure your happy with your Surgeon and the offered procedure.

Do you have a date for the operation Cassie? I hope you don't have to
wait long!

I was looking at the link www.ianjharding.com he practices at Frencay NHS Hospital and Spire private hospital in Bristol.
He carries out the microdiscectomy procedure and his 'blurb' describes an indeterminate incision size, he 'tries' to avoid muscle disection but does cut through the lamina and ligement flavum. this is a step in the right direction for Spine Surgeons, but it is this 'entry procedure damage' that causes residual pains and destabilisation issues post op.

But being positive for you for a minute Cassie, the Surgeons who seem to be doing this 'laminectomy variant' appear to be younger and by their adoption of this 'less destructive procedure' acknowledge that past procedures needed to be improved and therefore could offer you a more attentive Surgeon and hopefully a better clinical outcome for you than standard laminectomy and discectomy ones.

However, BEING ME AGAIN, I can still find no safety & efficacy rates or results of any randomised control trials related to this procedure and it is therefore (in my humble opinion) (LOL) the same as standard NHS decompression surgeries, without any clear evidence for use!

Other things I dislike about the information on the sites I have read regarding microdiscectomy etc: is that incision sizes vary from Surgeon to Surgeon, length of procedure varies, hospitalisation times vary, recovery time vary, use of differing visualisation devices and some of sites claims are, I believe, proroganda.

I also dislike the 'many & varied' descriptions given for the same procedure and the claim that it is 90 to 98% succesful, this figure relates to the Surgeons performance, not 'patients' clinical outcome. The bottom line is that the micro part mearly donates the use of a exterior 'microscopes' for the visualisation the working area, rather than the use of the 'superior' internal endoscope. Some sites also use x-ray targeting, but is of no use when trying to see what soft tissue or nerve damage there is, because it only picks up hard body parts.

The description discectomy and decompression etc: is the same no matter what the entry procedure used, I wish nice would bundle up these procedure names so it is clearere for patients to understand.

Also have a look at these sites below Cassie!

www.spine-health.com
www.spineuniverse.com

I found them very useful for videos, animations and descriptions of a whole range of spine issues.


kind regards

SPINELF

 

[Sea Cucumber]

Microdiscectomy & Microdecompression Surgery

I am sorry to "dig" this old post. I will try to clarify situation, if you did not find information in mean time.

Micro-discectomy, micro-surgery, micro-decompression is almost the same as standard open traditional spine surgery. Only difference is utilizing of microscope, which will decrease bleeding.

Micro-discectomy, micro-decompression and similar procedures SHOULD NEVER be compared to minimally-invasive spinal procedures.

 

[Janet]

Microdiscectomy & Microdecompression Surgery

Thank's for clarifing Keano.

You are quite right, unfortunately, many Surgeons have & do compare it with MISS and even more unfortunately, many back pain sufferers have believed them and have suffered as a result. This is/was due to unrealistic expectations and colatorol damage caused by the Surgeons

Cheers Keano

SPINELF

 

[Double A A]

Microdiscectomy & Microdecompression Surgery

Indeed, I think that "Collateral damage" is keyword in all this.