Complications associated with cervical endoscopic discectomy with the holmium laser.

OBJECTIVES Our aim was to determine the rate of surgical complications associated with cervical endoscopic discectomy (CED). BACKGROUND DATA There are no studies that state the degree of complications after CED. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-one patients underwent CED with holmium laser. RESULTS Two out of 41 patients incurred vascular compromise during the procedure. One patient developed recurrent laryngeal nerve damage. One patient developed discitis, and two patients complained of a "clicking" sensation postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS Although CED has a relatively high success rate, there is a 15% rate of complications associated with the procedure. Most of the complications were minor (such as vascular compromise, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and postoperative "clicking" sensations), but there was one case of severe discitis, and there is the potential of serious complication from both vascular compromise and neural injury.