Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Endoscopic spine surgery (discectomy) is a minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) that uses an endoscope to treat chronic back pain radiating down the leg and hip, as well as numbness and weakness in the arms and legs caused by a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc. The incision is only 8-10 mm. Endoscopic spine surgery includes an ultra-small incision, decreases blood loss and stress to soft tissue, muscle, and bone injuries, and requires just a one-night hospital stay while providing significant effective and obvious outcomes in the treatment of persistent back pain.

Endoscopic spine surgery is a spine surgery technique that evolved from traditional spine surgery, which involved making a long incision in the middle of the back to remove some muscles (open laminectomy), resulting in a lot of blood loss, a large surgical scar that took a long time to heal, and injuries to soft tissues, muscles, and bones that took a long time to recover, not to mention the risk of complications from infection.

What are the different types of minimally invasive spine surgeries?

Many types of spine surgeries can use a minimally invasive approach. Common types include:

Spinal decompression.
Diskectomy.
Spinal fusion/fixation.

What conditions is minimally invasive spine surgery intended to treat?

Minimally invasive spine surgery can treat or manage the following conditions:

Cervical spondylosis.
Degenerative or slipped disks.
Herniated disk.
Instability.
Kyphosis.
Scoliosis.
Spinal stenosis.
Spinal tumors.
Vertebral compression fractures.

Good candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery

A surgeon will decide whether you are a suitable candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery. They will consider a variety of things, the most crucial of which is that your spine be accessible via short surgical passageways. Surgery is usually considered if alternative treatments, such as drugs or physical therapy, have failed to alleviate symptoms. If your surgeon can determine the exact location of the source of your problems, he or she may try a less invasive method. This lowers the need to open up your spine in order to detect the problem.

Procedure Details

Before surgery, your surgeon will give you specific instructions to follow, such as:

Perform additional testing on your spine, such as an X-ray, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
If you smoke, stop doing so.
Regular physical activity before surgery will help keep your body and muscles in shape and decrease your recovery period.
Stop or start taking certain drugs before surgery. This may entail taking antibiotics or discontinuing any non-essential medications or supplements that could interfere with your recovery. Do not stop taking drugs unless your doctor permits it. Finally, try to avoid narcotics until after your operation.
Follow the recommendations on what to eat and drink the night before surgery.
Ask someone to drive you to and from the surgery and assist you at home for the first few days of your recovery.

During surgery

During minimally invasive spine surgery, your doctor will:

Make an incision in your skin along your back, chest, or belly.
Insert a tube and operate under a microscope. Alternatively, to see the operating region, your surgeon will implant an endoscope, which is a stick-like instrument with a camera attached.
Complete the procedure using small surgical instruments through the endoscope tube or through the other incisions with thin, hollow tubes (tubular retractor).
Remove the retractors and devices so that your muscles and tissue can return to their normal positions.
Close the incision(s) and bandage them.

During surgery

Yes, certain surgeons and hospital systems use robotics to do minimally invasive spine fusions. Robots in medicine are not sci-fi characters; rather, they are tools that assist surgeons in performing intricate surgeries that require more precision than traditional surgical techniques can provide. If your surgeon plans to use robotic surgery during your procedure, they will notify you.

After surgery

After minimally invasive spine surgery, you will be moved to the hospital's recovery area while your anesthetic wears off. If you underwent general anesthesia, you will feel sluggish when you wake up. Some procedures allow you to return home the same day as your surgery so you may heal in the comfort of your own home. Depending on the procedure required by your surgeon, you may need to stay in the hospital overnight or for a few days.

You may most certainly feel some discomfort after minimally invasive surgery, although it will be less severe than with open surgery. This is because less invasive techniques cause less injury to your muscles and tissues. Your doctor may prescribe pain medications to help you manage your discomfort. You will also be given instructions on how to care for yourself after the surgery. This includes caring for the incision site, determining which activities are safe, and providing direction for follow-up appointments.

Benefits

The advantages of minimally invasive spine surgery are:

Shorter procedure and recovery times.
There is less pain after surgery due to limited muscle and tissue damage.
Instead of a single large scar, there may be several smaller ones.
The risk of infection is reduced.
Reduced blood loss in the operating room.

This sort of surgery allows you to get back on your feet faster than standard surgery, so you don't have to miss much work or school before feeling better.

Conclusion

Endoscopic spine surgery is a significant step forward in spinal care. With its minimally invasive nature, shorter recovery times, and lower risk of problems, it is an appealing option to standard spine surgery for many patients. While not appropriate for all cases, endoscopic spine surgery offers hope to those seeking effective treatment from persistent back and neck discomfort without the lengthy recovery times associated with open surgery. Endoscopic spine surgery is expected to play an increasingly important role in the treatment of spinal diseases as technology advances, improving both patient results and quality of life