What are the possible side effects of the IDET and percutaneous discectomy?
With any invasion of the body, even minimal, there is the risk of infection and bleeding. These procedures are done under strict care and sterile environment to prevent infection such as the operating room. Before the procedure antibiotics are given intravenously to minimize the risk of infection. The chances of bleeding are small in these procedures and very rarely can occur. Infection of the disc may occur which is called discitis. If this occurs, it may be necessary for the patient to undergo open incision and drainage of the disc which may be done from a lateral or side approach to still stay out of the spinal canal to reduce the chances of scarring inside the spinal canal and its spinal nerve roots. Possible injury to a nerve root may occur if care is not taken in entry into the disc. Ultimately the procedure may fail and not relieved the patient’s pain which is a rare and less likely occurrence.
