Surgical Methods Used for a Cervical Herniated Disc

Surgical Methods Used for Cervical Herniated Disc

Today, cervical herniated disc surgeries can be performed successfully in experienced hands with the help of developing new techniques and technological devices. Cervical herniated disc, which can disturb sleep and reduce quality of life, can be treated with the microsurgical method. With the microsurgical method, not only are the patient’s existing complaints eliminated, but the quality of life reduced by pain is also improved.

The surgical treatment option is recommended for patients who do not respond to medical treatment, who have loss of strength, and in whom significant spinal cord and/or nerve root compression is detected.

The decision to perform the surgery through an anterior or posterior approach is made by the neurosurgeon after your examination and radiological evaluations. Factors such as the location of the cervical herniated disc and the surgeon’s experience are effective in this decision. In cervical herniated discs, the herniation is more commonly reached through a small incision from the front of the neck, and the surgery performed using the microsurgical method takes approximately one hour. The patient can stand up six hours after surgery and can be discharged from the hospital one day later. In these microsurgical operations, the risk of disability or paralysis is almost nonexistent. The patient can return to work within two weeks.

The surgery performed from the back in cervical herniated disc cases is more limited in number. If the herniation is not in the midline and is located at the entrance of the canal through which the nerve root exiting the spinal cord is about to leave the spinal canal, then a posterior approach may be recommended.