Herniated intervertebral disc decompression using laser (percutaneous discectomy) is a minimally invasive restoration method which was first developed in 1986 by the neurosurgeons P. Ascher and D. Choy.

The method consists of the ablation of the disc nucleus using laser radiation resulting in immediate resolution of the symptoms. Percutaneous discectomy with laser follows the indications of standard surgical replacement and is now widely spread in European countries and the USA.

Percutaneous discectomy using laser is a non-invasive (minimally invasive) method performed under fluoroscopic guidance and results in very significant advantages for the patient:

• It is performed under local anesthesia
• It lasts from 20 – 35 minutes and hospitalization is only for a few hours
• Back pain and sciatica immediately subside
• Reflexes return at the end of the procedure
• Sensory deficits are restored after about one week
• Neurological symptoms disappear in two weeks
• The patient can immediately return (4 - 5 days) to his/her normal activities

With experience since 1994 and with more than 2000 surgeries to date, percutaneous discectomy is an excellent method for the majority of herniated intervertebral disc cases.