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Complications of Microdiscectomy

Microdiscectomy is an outpatient spinal surgery used to treat symptoms associated with a lumbar herniated disc. Because the surgery does not involve reshaping or fusing the spine, the surgery is considered a less-invasive spine surgery method. The surgery is not, however, without its risks.

  1. How It Works

    • The microdiscectomy procedure begins with a surgeon making a 1- to 1 1/2-inch incision in the lower back. After muscles are lifted (but not cut) off the spine, a surgeon is able to visualize the nerve roots, which are typically inflamed due to a herniated disc. A surgeon then removes the diseased disc portions that are pressing on the nerve and in some instances removes a portion of the facet joint that can press on the nerve.

    Spinal Fluid Leak

    • A surgeon may perforate or otherwise injure the spinal canal, causing spinal fluid to leak. According to spine-health.com, this complication occurs in 1 to 2 percent of all microdiscectomy patients annually in the United States (2003). A leak should not affect the surgical result. Leaks of this kind are typically self-sealing, however a patient may need to rest for one to two days to minimize leakage and allow time to heal.

    Nerve Damage

    • While the aim of miscrodiscectomy is to eliminate a disc from pressing on a nerve, these nerves can sometimes be injured during the procedure. This can cause permanent or temporary loss of sensation, dependent upon the location and severity of the injury.

    Infection

    • While a patient should be administered antibiotics during and following surgery, infection can still occur. Whether at the surgical site or inside the body, symptoms of infection include swelling, pus leakage at the site, fever, warmth at the site or fatigue. If a microdiscectomy patient experiences any of these symptoms, immediate treatment should be sought.

    Incontinence

    • Because microdiscectomy treats regions of the lower spine, injury to nerves can result in stress incontinence. This condition is an involuntary release of urine that usually occurs after a person sneezes, laughs or exercises. Because nerve damage of this kind is typically temporary, incontinence symptoms often diminish after the surgical recovery period of six weeks, when patients can fully return to bending and twisting activities, according to spine-health.com.

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