[Percutaneous nucleotomy with disk endoscopy--a minimally invasive therapy in non-sequestrated intervertebral disk...

The conventional open surgical approach for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation, introduced over 50 years ago, is often followed by tenacious consecutive complaints due to segmental instability or epidural scarring: the so called post-laminotomy syndrome. Introduced since 1979, Percutaneous nucleotomy, for patients without free sequestration of disc tissue, forms a true alternative due to its minimal invasiveness. Via a dorsolateral approach, most sparing the dorsal musculo-ligamental apparatus, a precise decompression can be achieved without scar-prone irritation of the peridural space. Considering the precise range of indication, preoperative selection of patients deserves most attention. An analysis of the 174 patients operated by this technique in the first 10 years shows favourable outcome in over 85% of the controls.