Percutaneous- Proceure performed “through the skin”, in this case a Discectomy. The entire procedure is performed through a cannula(a hollow tube) inserted through the back into center of the vertebral disc under local anesthetic using a stylet. After the position of the stylet is confirmed to be correct using AP and Lateral X-ray views it is removed leaving the cannula in place. The disc material may be removed using surgical tools such as the Dekompressor or traditional manual surgical tools, however the manual instruments require a larger cannula and more disruption to the surrounding structures. Both the automated and manual precutaneous discectomy procedures produce similar results and reduction in disc height and pressure on the nerves to result in pain reduction