Selective Endoscopic Discectomy

Selective Endoscopic Discectomy (SED) is a minimally invasive spine surgery technique that utilizes an endoscope (a small tube with a camera on the end) and several small instruments to treat herniated (the inner core of a disk pokes through the outer core) or protruded (the soft inner core of a disc presses against a tear or weakness in the outer layer) discs.These disc problems can lead to sciatica,
which is pain and/or burning, tingling, numbness or weakness that travels from the lower back through the buttocks and down the back of the leg.

The Selective Endoscopic Discectomy procedure uses a samll incision that allows surgeons to dilate muscle and tissue and access the affected disc. The damaged part of the disc is removed and then the surrounding ring of tissue is shrunk by a radio frequency probe and/or laser.SED surgery does not affect the
supporting structure of the disc, and takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour per disc.

Selective Endoscopic Discectomy surgery creates less tissue destruction and less post-surgery pain than other types of spine surgery.The surgeon does not cut muscle or remove bone during SED surgery. Patients recover more quickly and require less rehabilitation time than with other forms of discectomy or back surgery. Selective Endoscopic Discectomy surgery may be considered for patients who have tried non-invasive means of controlling sciatica with no success.The common rule of thumb used by surgeons is that patients should have tried other forms of treatment (such as physical therapy, chiropractic therapy, acupuncture, a lower back brace, medications, and/or cortisone injections) for at least 6 weeks.

The best candidates for Selective Endoscopic Discectomy surgery are patients with disc protrusion or herniation who do not have severe damage to their bones or joints (arthritis). Before determining whether a particular patient is appropriate for SED surgery, a discogram will be used to locate the specific disc that is causing pain. A discogram uses an X-ray machine and local anesthesia (the back is numb, but the patient is awake).A dye is injected into the center of the disk thought to be problematic, and an adjoining normal disc. As the dye causes increased pressure on a damaged disc, it will mimic the symptoms of sciatica.Conversely, the dye pressure will not cause symptoms when used with a normal disc.The X-ray image will allow the doctor to visualize the specific damage and problems associated with the affected disc.

Patients who have a disc that has become fully extruded (disc material has broken off) and moved into the spinal canal, who have extensive spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spine) and need an extensive amount of bone removed), or who have extensive spinal instability (requiring spinal fusion surgery) are not good candidates for SED
surgery.

Desert Institute For Spine Care
1635 E. Myrtle
Suite 400
Phoenix AZ 85020
602-944-2900

MAP IT
www.sciatica.com