METRx microscope system (Medtronic Sofamor Danek Inc.) for microdiscectomy for lumbar disc herniation

Record ID 32013000231
English
Authors' recommendations: Disc herniation is a condition affecting the spinal column in which one or more of the cushioning discs between the vertebrae are damaged and the inner gel-like substance bulges or protrudes through the tougher outer layer of the disc. Most herniations occur in the lower back, where this bulge or protrusion exerts pressure on the nerves that exit the spinal cord. This causes sciatica, pain, and weakness in the leg and lower back pain. Disc herniation can be caused by injury or degenerative disc disease. The majority of disc herniations (90%) will resolve with conservative therapy, but some require surgery. Conservative measures include a short period of rest followed by physical therapy and exercise, with anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant, and analgesic medications as required. If conservative therapy fails, or if recovery is unacceptably slow, surgery may be indicated to reduce pain and disability. The aim of surgery, known as discectomy, is to prevent permanent injury to the spinal nerve by removing the herniated material directly or by removing disc material from the center of the disc, which allows the herniation to subside. Open discectomy is the treatment of choice for severe pain or weakness and complicated herniations. Minimally invasive surgical techniques have been developed to reduce postoperative recovery time, scarring, and instability. These procedures differ from each other by the way the herniated disc is accessed, the way visualization of the operative site is achieved and the way pressure is taken off the nerve roots. Microendoscopic discectomy became available in the late 1990s and combines endoscopy with microsurgery.
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2012
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: United States
MeSH Terms
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement
  • Microsurgery
Contact
Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.
Contact Address: 157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218
Contact Name: saleinfo@hayesinc.com
Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com
Copyright: 2012 Winifred S. Hayes, Inc
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.