Pre-Op

• Preparation for the laser spine procedures will be the same regardless of the procedure. First an IV sedative and local anesthetic will be administered, and then the surgeon will make a small incision and place a tube inside. More outer tubes slowly will be added to stretch the opening to 18 mm upon which the camera and laser can then be placed inside the tube. The method of increasing tube size is done slowly to push the muscles out of the way rather than tear or cut them.
  
  

Foraminotomy

• The foraminotomy laser spine procedure is used to treat conditions caused by nerves being compressed by discs, bone, ligaments or scar tissue. With the tools and tubes in place, the surgeon uses the tiny camera to view the progress of the tiny laser to remove objects pressing down on the nerve and causing back pain.
  
  

Laminotomy

• The laminotomy spinal procedure is conducted to relieve pressure placed on the spinal canal by the nerves in the canal and the spinal cord. Once the laser has removed such obstructions, more space will be available for the neural tissue, which will allow the nerves to remain uncompressed and pain free. Laminotomy may also be used for the removal of the ligamentum flavum that tends to thicken and compress upon the spinal cord and cause pain.
  
  

Percutaneous Endoscopic Disectomy

• Removal of herniated or bulging disc material pressing upon the nerves in the spine or the spinal cord can be conducted with the laser procedure known as precutaneous endoscopic disectomy. This procedure can be conducted when the disc material has not caused a rupture in the spinal canal. Once X-ray monitoring has determined the cause of the pain, the surgeon will use the laser to remove the problem.
  
  

Facet Thermal Ablation

• In the laser spine procedure, facet thermal ablation, the laser is used to burn out and remove the nerves that are causing pain between the facet joints. Only the pained nerves will be deadened; but this process may take a while longer than the other laser procedures, as numerous facet joints connect each of the vertebrae together.
  
  

Post-Op

• Upon completion of the procedures, the tubing will be slowly removed to allow the muscles to move back into their original place. Patients are allowed to return home or to a local hotel the first night, asked to take a long walk the evening of the surgery, and then to come back the following morning for a checkup to determine if they may return home again.