Worldwide, back and spine issues are a common ailment for millions of people, however, the current medical technology has made available a number of surgical techniques to relieve pain and restore motion. Laser spine surgery and endoscopic spine surgery are among the most highly discussed ones and they both aim at lessening the damage to the tissues and speeding up the recovery process, yet in the aspect of safety, precision and long term outcomes, they are far apart.
We are going to dive deep into the reasons that make minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery the best choice.
In the early 2000s, laser spine surgery became famous as a "high tech" solution for back pain. The procedure employs a laser to cut out soft tissues or parts of a disc that are thought to be applying pressure on a spinal nerve. However, the laser is only one of the tools used in the procedure, as it gets marketed to the patients with great expectations.
In most situations, apart from vaporizing very little tissue, the laser isn't used to repair spinal issues like herniated discs, bone spurs, or spinal stenosis. Furthermore, since the laser lacks the ability to accurately penetrate deep or intricate spinal structures, it may at times lead to overheating injuries of the surrounding nerves or muscles.
In addition, one of the restrictions is that laser spinal surgery is not a remedy for all kinds of spinal problems; it only serves a very small range of conditions, and that too with doubtful results very often.
Endoscopic spine surgery (ESS) is a state-of-the art minimally invasive method that allows for very detailed visualization and treatment of spinal problems through the usage of a tiny camera (endoscope) and specialized instruments. The surgeons can operate on the damaged region through a tiny incision that is often less than 1 cm and carry out complex processes without tearing down muscles or affecting nearby tissues.
Various endoscopic methods are available including full endoscopic spine surgery, biportal endoscopic spine surgery, and endoscopic cervical spine surgery, each designed for certain spinal areas and patient requirements.
Endoscopic spine surgery, on the other hand, provides the doctor with a direct and clear view of the area on the high definition monitor thus giving a surgeon better control and precision as compared to laser procedures. Herniotherapy refers to the decline of the vertebrae, constricted nerves, severe degenerative syndromes, etc.
With its magnification and real time view, endoscopic spine surgery gives full visual access to all spinal structures. Top spinal surgeons in the UK and throughout the world use this visualization to accurately locate and treat the problem without damaging surrounding tissues.
To mention also, the use of high technology instruments in endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery equates to lower rates of infection, blood loss, and scarring which in turn guarantees safe experience for patients.
Laser endoscopic spine surgery is limited in terms of conditions it can solve, however, full endoscopic spine surgery and biportal endoscopic surgery can take care of an entire range of spinal problems. Endoscopic techniques can manage and treat even the most difficult cases, from disc herniation through spinal stenosis and facet joint problems to nerve trapping, with ease.
Moreover, endoscopic techniques can be done on different spinal levels lumbar, thoracic, and cervical which makes them even more versatile and comprehensive compared to laser based treatments.
The very short recovery period is the principal benefit of endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery. Using methods that are less invasive, patients will suffer from minor postoperative pain, have fewer complications, and return to their normal life faster.
Laser spine surgery, however, might only provide short term relief and may not even tackle the root of the problem, resulting in the return of pain or the need for the patient to undergo the procedure again.
Endoscopic spine surgery, on the other hand, is backed by peer reviewed clinical research and a long history of successful outcomes, unlike laser procedures which sometimes depend more on aggressive marketing than on solid data.
Numerous studies have shown that patients who received endoscopic treatment were more satisfied and had less pain, as well as better long term outcomes than those who had undergone laser spine procedures.
This fact makes endoscopic spine surgery in the UK a method of spine care proven by science and thus a trusted one.
Numerous clinics continue to market laser spine surgery as a “cutting edge” or “bloodless” procedure, nevertheless, these claims frequently are marketing strategies rather than scientific proof. In fact, lasers have a very limited application in contemporary spinal operations.
The main problem is the word “laser” . People associate it with something very new and advanced, so they think of it as superior to conventional methods.
But, even the best consultant spinal surgeons don’t use lasers. Endoscopic tools that provide greater accuracy, improved visibility, and increased safety are accepted by most of the surgeons. Thus, informing the patients that the presence of a laser during a procedure does not mean it is non-invasive and does not assure better results is very important.
It is of utmost importance to rely on evidence based, minimally invasive treatments for spine care. On the other hand, endoscopic spine surgery has completely changed the treatment of spinal issues, providing excellent results with very little recovery time.
In case you are contemplating surgery, the first step is to seek advice from a skilled consultant spinal surgeon skilled in endoscopic methods. Don't let yourself be swayed by the seductive advertising of “laser cures” that frequently do not provide even short lasting relief.
Mr. Irfan Malik, who is considered one of the top spinal surgeons in the UK, has a lot of experience in biportal and full endoscopic spine surgery for patients in the UK looking for expert spinal care.
His method aims for correct diagnosis, and tailored therapy as well as long-lasting patient health. Patients treated by him are the ones whose condition can improve with less invasive methods, quick recovery times, and pain relievers that last long thus he has become a reputed figure in endoscopic spine surgery in the UK.
Both laser and endoscopic spine surgeries are aimed at minimizing invasiveness, however, endoscopic techniques overshadow laser based procedures in terms of safety, precision and long term success.
Endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery done by expert hands like Mr. Irfan Malik is a spinal treatment of the future that has sufficient clinical trials as its support, will be not only effective and safe but also the patient's needs will be considered in the planning of the process.
Laser spinal surgery is a process that eliminates tissue by the application of heat energy, but it does not give superb control. Endoscopic spine surgery, on the contrary, by using a camera and micro instruments, not only provides a better view of the delicate spinal issues but also assures very high precision.
This surgery is certainly the safest spinal operation available nowadays. Two extensive and never ending ontogenetic studies stem from both the vulnerable properties of germinating mature tissues and the regenerative voyage endowed to plants by the vegetative amniotic flora.
Generally, patients are allowed to resume their everyday life after the light activity scenario which may persist for 2 to 4 weeks, subject to the kind of surgery performed, since the time is usually dictated by the surgical procedure.
Still, there are certain situations where the total endoscopic technique or biportal methods do not perform perfectly, but along with that, most of them are identified with herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and nerve compression.
Mr. Irfan Malik, a BSc MB BS MRCS FRCS (SN) Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, who is a very famous authority in biportal and full endoscopic spinal surgery, has been appointed as the Clinical Leader for Complex Adult and Pediatric Spinal Surgery and he is visiting the UK.
Consultant Spinal Neurosurgeon
I am a renowned spinal neurosurgeon based in London, recognized as one of the foremost experts in this field. With years of specialized training and vast experience, I have performed countless successful surgeries, earning a reputation as the go-to specialist for complex spinal conditions. My expertise spans minimally invasive spinal surgery, treatment of spinal deformities, degenerative conditions, and trauma-related injuries.
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