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Dr Burres was looking for a way to improve lumbar discectomy surgery in the early 1990s. At a neurosurgery meeting in Boston in early 1993, he found endoscopes and lasers that were FDA approved for use in the nervous system and purchased a set.
He had experience with carbon dioxide lasers while at Stanford University, but hospitals had been reluctant to get involved with this technology  except for ophthalmology, dermatology, and otolaryngology. This was about to change. Dr. Burres’ first case in May 1993 was memorialized with this photo.
Well, this has evolved over the years... laser technology  has advanced and now Dr Burres uses the Holmium 22 Digital Laser, with digital precision to remove disc herniations and symptomatic bulges, annular tears, etc. Experience is an important part of any surgery and Dr Burres has accumulated hundreds of cases.
After taking on lumbar discs, patients asked if the same technique could be adapted to thoracic and cervical disc problems.  Although far less common than lumbar disc problems, thoracic disc patients faced the prospect of a major chest surgery to treat thoracic disc herniations. Adapting a known approach, costotransversectomy, Dr Burres has developed Thoracic MicroLaser Discectomy®-- adapting the same technique to a different anatomical location.
Cervical MicroLaser® then followed and has also saved many patients extensive and expensive spinal fusion procedures and the prospect of accelerated degeneration of adjacent disc levels, etc.
MicroLaser Discectomy® continues to evolve as a safe, minimally invasive, precise, and effective procedure to treat spinal problems. In 2002, Dr Burres and the Lorenz Medical Instrument Company produced a new or 4th generation ceramic shield for the nerve and adjacent structures from any stray heat or laser energy. 
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