Percutaneous (endoscopic) decompression discectomy for non-extruded cervical herniated nucleus pulposus.

In 1838, Key described the pathological findings of two cases of cord compression by "intervertebral substance." In the 1800s and early 1900s many cases of chondromas of the cervical spine were reported. In 1928 Stookey, described the clinical symptoms and anatomic location of cervical disk herniation. In 1934, Mixter and Barr documented four cervical disc protrusions. Before 1950, the standard approach to discs in this region was posteriorly with laminectomy. In the 1950s Bailey, Badgley, Cloward, Smith and Robinson popularized the anterior approach with interbody fusion. Hirsch in 1960, then Robertson in 1973, recommended cervical discectomy without fusion. Similar results were noted.