Percutaneous nucleotomy. A new concept technique and 12 years' experience

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

• Lumbar disc herniations and degenerations are common conditions requiring surgical intervention.
• Conventional surgical approaches for these conditions have yielded inconsistent patient outcomes.
• The need for less invasive alternatives to major spinal surgeries is evident.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and detail the technique of percutaneous nucleotomy developed in 1975.
• To evaluate the efficacy and patient satisfaction rates of percutaneous nucleotomy.
• To compare the improved technique with the original percutaneous nucleotomy method.

Main Methods:

• Percutaneous nucleotomy involves posterolateral fenestration of the annulus fibrosus.
• Partial resection of the nuclear substance is achieved via suction decompression.
• The procedure is performed in a radiology department under local anesthesia, taking 30-60 minutes.

Main Results:

• The procedure effectively reduces intradiscal pressure, alleviating nerve root irritation and associated pain.
• While not extracting the herniated portion, decompression reduces the disc substance volume.
• Follow-up of 136 cases indicated a 72% patient satisfaction rate.

Conclusions:

• Percutaneous nucleotomy presents a viable, minimally invasive alternative to conventional spinal surgeries for lumbar disc herniations.
• The technique offers significant relief and high patient satisfaction with reduced invasiveness.
• Further comparison with the original technique highlights improvements in the procedure.