La Jolla Spine Institute La Jolla Spine Institute
4130 La Jolla Village Dr., Ste. 100
La Jolla, CA 92037
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Decompression
  Cervical Discectomy  
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Cervical Laminectomy		  
 
Cervical Laminaplasty		  
  Lumbar Discectomy
Overview
Risks/Complications
After Surgery
  
  Lumbar Laminectomy  
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LUMBAR DISCECTOMY
Possible Risks/Complications

Risks and potential complications associated with a lumbar discectomy (microdiscectomy) include:

  • Dural tear (cerebrospinal fluid leak)
  • Nerve root damage
  • Recurrent disc herniation
  • Bowel/bladder incontinence
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Death
These complications are quite rare. A dural tear, which occurs in 1% to 2% of these surgeries, does not change the results of surgery, but post-operatively the patient may be asked to lay recumbent for one to two days to allow the leak to seal. A recurrent disc herniation can occur in up to 5% of cases. This is where another piece of disc is pushed out from the nucleus through the opening in the annulus.
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