Automated percutaneous discectomy: preliminary experience.

In 1985, Onik, described a new automated lumbar disc aspiration technique that utilizes a probe with the guillotine cutting technology used in vitrectomy and arthroscopic instrumentation. The probe's small size (2 mm in diameter) minimizes the risk of nerve injury, while its automated action permits rapid, safe removal of disc material. The technique and our preliminary results in patients treated with this method are described.