Overview
Endoscopic spine surgery uses a thin tube with a camera and light (an endoscope) inserted through an incision often less than an inch long. Small instruments pass through the endoscope to remove disc material, bone or ligament pressing on a nerve.
It is a type of minimally invasive surgery used for selected disc herniations and areas of stenosis.
Watch and learn
Video: “Complex Endoscopic Spine Surgery” from Johns Hopkins Medicine on YouTube. It loads from youtube-nocookie.com only when you press play. Shown for general education; GSMC did not produce it. Watch on YouTube
Video: “Mayo Clinic Minute: Endoscopic spinal fusion” from Mayo Clinic on YouTube. It loads from youtube-nocookie.com only when you press play. Shown for general education; GSMC did not produce it. Watch on YouTube
Captions: press the CC button in the video player to turn on captions. Some captions are generated automatically by YouTube and may contain errors.
Who may be a candidate
- Selected lumbar or cervical disc herniations
- Foraminal or lateral recess stenosis
- Symptoms matching imaging after nonsurgical care
Your exam, imaging and overall health decide whether this surgery is appropriate for you.
How it is done
- Anesthesia (general or sedation with local, depending on technique).
- A small incision is made and the endoscope is guided to the level using imaging.
- The surgeon views the area on a screen and removes the tissue pressing on the nerve.
- The incision is closed with a stitch or two; most patients go home the same day.
This procedure is often done on an outpatient basis. Procedures that are appropriate for outpatient care may be performed at GSMC’s surgery center; others are done in a hospital. Your surgeon will explain where your procedure would take place.
Recovery timeline
Walking right away; small incision.
Return to light work and activities as advised.
Recovery depends on the procedure, your health and how many levels are treated. Your surgeon will give you a written plan.
Risks
Every surgery has risks. Your surgeon will review them with you, including:
- Infection or bleeding
- Nerve irritation or injury
- Spinal fluid leak
- Recurrent disc herniation
- Incomplete decompression needing another procedure
Alternatives to consider
See all nonsurgical options, or ask for a second opinion.
Who performs it
Call 732-202-3000 to confirm which surgeon performs this procedure and where.
Frequently asked questions
Is it the same as a microdiscectomy?
Both remove disc material. Endoscopic surgery works through a smaller tube and a camera instead of a microscope.
Can every herniation be treated this way?
No. The location and type of herniation matter.
Is it available at GSMC?
Call 732-202-3000 to ask which spine procedures are offered. Procedures that are appropriate for outpatient care may be performed at GSMC’s surgery center; others are done in a hospital.
This page is general patient education and does not replace advice from your own clinician. Individual results vary. No outcome can be promised.