Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD) Abroad

Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD) Cost Package:
{The surgery cost covers all medical & logistics costs at the destination}
International Destinations: India, Jordan, Mexico, South Korea, Turkey

Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD) is a recent and advanced technique of minimal invasive surgery for the decompression of the inter-vertebral disc space in the lumbar region of the spine. The procedure involves the removal of the inter-vertebral disc material through a postero-lateral approach. Compared to the conventional and standard surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniation, which has poor long term outcomes, like residual back pain and long term follow up, this minimal invasive technique has significant advantages.

This new technique considerably reduces post operative hospitalization stay and morbidity. The procedure allows the patient to regain normal work function at the earliest, which is the greatest advantage of the procedure. This new technique, has not gained substantial popularity, due to several clinical studies indicating that the procedure is associated with a high risk of developing systemic reaction. However, with recent advances and evolution of surgical instruments and techniques for minimally invasive spine surgery, Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar discectomy (PELD) has become comparable to conventional procedure when it comes to manage disc herniation.

The procedure is available at several international destinations namely Turkey, Jordan, Mexico, India and South Korea, which have several healthcare facilities of international repute and highly qualified medical professional teams to manage spinal surgery.

Why Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD)?

PELD can be used in the following set of patients,

• Patients with discogenic lower back pain (i.e. back pain which is caused due to degeneration or wearing out of the inter-vertebral disc material)
• Failure of the patient to respond to conventional management therapies including direct injection therapies for three months or more.
• If the average pain is equal to or greater than 5, as per the criteria laid down by International Association for study of Pain (IASP).
• For repeat decompression procedure, with previous interventions failing to provide relief or in cases with relapse of disc herniation
• The patient doesn’t have the presence of any neurological deficit
• In addition to decompression, the procedure has been proven effective for the management of resection of spinal tumors, fusion and structural deformities of the spinal cord.

Advantages of Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD) over the conventional procedures

The PELD procedure has several advantages over the conventional open discectomy procedure, whilst the outcomes remain the more or less similar.

• Like any other minimal invasive surgical procedure, Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD) is a one day procedure which requires only slight sedation. This consequently reduces hospitalization stay and recovery time and thereby is very cost effective.
• During the procedure, the paraspinal structures including the ligaments, muscles and joint facets are preserved, which substantially reduces the risk of post operative scaring and spinal instability. The procedure also allows better visualization in comparison to the conventional procedure.
• In case the procedure is not successful, it allows a second operation using a different technique to correct the problem.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD): The Procedure

• Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD), is an endoscopic daycare surgical procedure. The procedure is conducted in about 60 minutes and is done under local anesthesia with mild sedation.
• The patient is made to lie down on a radiolucent table in the prone position and a small incision is made about 8-10 centimeters from the midline on the posterior part of the body
• There are two different ways in which the inter-vertebral disc material can be removed (i.e. manually or using laser).
• The manual removal procedure is also referred to as Automated Percutaneous Discectomy (APD), which employs the use of an endoscope to visualize the disc space during the surgery and guide the mechanical instruments.
• The laser surgery is referred to as percutaneous laser discectomy (PLD), which uses an external imager called the fluoroscope to direct the probe. The probe delivers laser energy which vaporizes a part of the inter-vertebral disc material and decompresses the nerve root. The most frequently used laser for treatment is Holmium yttrium- aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser.

Post-operative Care after Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD)

• Although the patients are usually physically fit enough, to be discharged on the same day after the procedure, occasionally the patients may require an overnight stay at the hospital.
• Recovery takes place quickly and the patient is allowed to resume work within three to four weeks after the procedure.
• Occasionally physical therapy may be required, especially among the old age group of patients.

Effectiveness of Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD)

Since the technique is less frequently used and there is not much literature available, its effectiveness is not known. However, clinical analysis studies indicated that the success rate is directly related to the medical history and the age of the patient. Patients younger than 40 years and with pain for less than three months had much better clinical outcomes compared to their counterparts. The overall success rate of the procedure ranges from 65% to 85%, with about 10 to 15% of the patients requiring a second surgical intervention.

Risks and Complications Associated with Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD):

As per the Australian Safety and Efficacy Register of New Interventional Procedures, it is suggested that some of the complications include,

• Potential injury from the thermal (i.e. heat effects) of laser energy
• Improper placement may result in nerve damage
• Inadequate decompression may result in the need for a second operation, using a different technique

Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD) in India:

With advancing technological options and rapid growth, India is poised to become the next healthcare destination for medical tourists from across the world. A huge availability of qualified and trained manpower, and considerably lower costs to provide medical treatment and care, is viewed as the strongest advantage which India provides to medical tourists from the United States.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD) in Mexico:

Mexico has several JCI accredited hospitals, which provide optimum quality of medical and surgical care at half the cost, compared to hospitals in the United States. Further, since it is closer to the United States than any othermedical tourism destination in Europe or Asia, Mexico is preferred by many US citizens.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD) in Turkey:

Medical infrastructure in Turkey is comparable to healthcare infrastructure in most of Europe. The high level of quality consciousness, patient centric approach, competitive pricing and skilled medical teams are some of the strong attributes of the hospitals in Turkey which are attracting increasing number of medical tourists from other countries including the United States.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD) in Jordan:

Exponentially increasing volumes of international medical tourists are visiting Jordan to seek medical care. This is attributed to its location, which is at a mid distance from other medical tourism destinations like India and South Korea. Further, with most of the Middle East traveling to Jordan for medical and surgical care, Jordan is increasingly projected as the next best medical tourism destination in Asia.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD) in South Korea:

South Korea has gained commendable advances in the domain of medical and surgical science and technology over the past few years. This has mobilized the government and several large hospitals in the country to obtain international accreditation like JCI, JACHO and ISO, which are aimed at ensuring high quality standards and catering to international medical tourists from across the globe. Though its location in the Far East is considered a disadvantage, South Korea is attempting to capitalize on the medical tourism market by vouching for its high quality and low cost services.

Related links:

Spine Fusion Overseas
Cervical Microdiscectomy Abroad 
Peripheral Nerve Surgery 
Cervical Disc Replacement Abroad
Spinal Decompression Abroad
Artificial Spinal Disk Replacement Abroad
Laminectomy For The Excision Of Spinal Tumors Abroad
Microsurgical Discectomy Abroad

Medical Tourism Corporation facilitates affordable Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD) Abroad at many international locations including Mexico, India & Spain. Fill out the free estimate request form for a free quote & more information.