About Us: Surgeon Information
 Surgeon Information
 Cavert K. McCorkle, M.D., FACS
Phillip G. Esce, M.D.
Christopher J. Chittum, M.D.
Chalmers A. Mills, PA-C
Timothy S. Odell, PA-C
Christopher A. Prasun, PA-C
Our surgeons are trained and have experience in the newest lumbar disk replacement techniques from DePuy Spine and Synthes. Our surgeons are also trained in Minimally Invasive Surgical techniques for spinal surgery to minimize blood loss, pain, hospital stay and recovery time. This includes laser diskectomy and percutaneous spinal diskectomy, fixation and fusion.
We treat acute and chronic vertebral compression fractures with braces and newer technologies such as Khyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty if indicated.
We performed the very first Multidiode PL3D laser diskectomy in the United States in November 2006 at Mary Black Hospital.
Surgical Technique
A fiber optic wire is introduced through a 22 gauge needle inserted into the nucleus pulposus under local anesthesia. A small amount of the nucleus is vaporized resulting in a sharp reduction in intradiscal pressure. The gas formed is removed by a patented handpiece, called the Menchetti's handpiece, that incorporates a smoke evacuation system so as to minimize the potential for post op muscle spasms.
For patients, the advantages are:
minimally invasive
performed in outpatient setting
requires no general anesthesia
results in no periradicular scarring or spinal instability
reduces rehabilitation time
does not preclude open surgery if needed.
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