Guidance
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on percutaneous endoscopic laser cervical discectomy.
Description
Symptomatic cervical disc herniation is when one of the discs in the top of the back which act as cushions between the bones bursts and pushes against the spinal cord or nerve roots that run through the backbone, causing: pain in the neck or back, weakness and numbness in the arms or legs, or bladder problems.
The aim of a percutaneous endoscopic laser discectomy is to remove the part of the disc that is pushing against the spinal cord or nerve root. A small cut is made in the skin and special equipment including a laser is used to heat and destroy some of the disc and remove the part that is sticking out to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve root.
Coding and clinical classification codes for this guidance.