The popularity of minimally invasive spine surgery or endoscopic spine surgery in modern spine management is due to their fast recovery time and less invasive procedure. The tracing back of this technique was in the early 1900s.
In this century, such apparatuses have been improved to enable surgeons to remove spinal tumors with less interference with other parts of the body. Prior research has shown the relationship with reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospitalization, and, consequently, less frequent complications or the necessity for reoperations when compared to conventional open surgeries.
However, endoscopic surgery also has its complications related to it which are unique complications and a steep learning curve for spine surgeons. This is because the field of spine surgery is constantly evolving, and therefore it is relevant to define present-day applications of ESS (Endoscopic Spine Surgery).
MIS or endoscopic spine surgery like discectomy requires only one incision, 8–10 mm in diameter, for chronic back pain radiating down to the leg and hip and numbness and weakness in the arms and legs due to herniated disc, spinal stenosis or degenerative disc. Ultra-small incision, minimal blood loss, minimal trauma to soft tissue and muscle, and bone injuries and just one night in the hospital, and the fact that it is effective for treating chronic back pain.
Endoscopic spine surgery is a modification of the traditional spine surgery whereby a large cut across the midline of the back is made to remove some muscles It is popularly known as open laminectomy accompanied by lots of blood loss, large surgical scar that used to take long to heal, soft tissue, muscles, and bones injuries that also used to take long to heal together with chances of getting infected.
Endoscopic spine surgery entails using a small hole, a camera, and a surgical tool to cut herniated discs or pressure organs that have pressed nerve roots. The endoscope tip has mounted an HD camera with a fiber optic light to steer a micro-instrument to the site.
The endoscopic is linked to a high-definition monitor screen outside, then the operation of an orthopedic surgeon would be safe and accurate in the operation process, the blood loss, the injury of soft tissues, muscles, and bones as well as the relevant complications would be reduced.
ESS can treat the following conditions:
A herniated disc is the intervertebral disc that has deteriorated due to age, genetics, and weight, and the disc that connects each vertebra slips out of place and compresses the nerve causing intense back pain, arm pain, neck pain, hip pain that radiates down the legs and tingling particularly when bending, lifting or even standing straight. We need to know that chronic herniated discs can lead to numbness in the extremities, muscle weakness, and excretory pathology.
Spinal stenosis is the reduction in the diameter of the spinal canal in the course of the spinal axis with discs, ligamentous, and joint structures due to use, deterioration, or scoliosis. Degeneration of these organs causes them to expand and compress the spinal cord and nerves, causing severe back pain while standing, walking, or leaning back and it possibly results in pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms, legs, and feet. It predominately afflicts persons who are 50 years and over.
Degenerative disc disease is an ailment signifying deterioration, which is a regular process in the human body due to the influence of age, improper usage, last injuries, defaults in the genes, etc., which is predominant in people who are 25 years and above. Such signs may include intense back pain, back stiffness, back pain running down the hips at the buttocks, general body numbness and muscle weakness, back pain arising from sitting or standing, and even when walking for a long period.
Before the operation starts the surgeon administers intravenous medication that will just put you to sleep and arrange a comfortable position for you on the operating table. They will then make the skin over the surgical area numb which will help you not to feel any pain as the surgery is being conducted.
With the use of an x-ray, the surgeon takes a guidewire and a surgical needle to locate the spinal disc that is in pain. The surgeon will then cut through them and part the muscles in a way that will allow the endoscope to track the spinal area. The surgical site is marked by inserting a metal dilator and soft cannula over the guidewire. Then the dilator and the guidewire are pulled off.
The camera of the endoscope sends photographed images to a computer by projecting them for the doctor to visualize the pathology and anatomy. Following the projection of the images, the doctor will then use probes examined through the endoscope to remove thickened ligaments, herniated discs or hard bone spurs to free the nerves from compression.
The result is that post-surgery, the nerves that were previously compressed lose this pressure. The surgeon will then pass an endoscope into your abdomen and administer a shot of steroids to minimize pain accruing from inflammation following the surgery. After this, the cannula and the endoscope are withdrawn and the incision site is sutured then the area is surgically draped.
The surgeon will then move you to the recovery section and watch you for one or two hours before discharge. This surgery is relatively effective with patients experiencing an increase in function and a reduction in pain after the surgery.
The immediate consequences of this treatment are normally temporary and most often are not severe. These may be in the form of skin hematomas, edema, erythema, or pain in the area where the skin was punctured or snipped. Moreover, you might have occasionally easily experienced things like getting tingly, weak, or numb legs or arms.
It is one of the modern approaches to spine treatment. It is also less invasive than traditional open surgery and, therefore, more appropriate for faster and safer recovery. Here are the main types of endoscopic spine surgery and how they are used:
Spinal disorders in the neck, involving disc herniations, spinal stenosis, or nerve compression call for cervical spine endoscopy surgery.
Procedure: Through a small incision, surgeons apply a small camera with special access to the spine using instruments. Real-time imaging helps the surgeon to point at certain areas of the body without hurting the other parts.
Also known as minimally invasive laser discectomy. This integrated surgical procedure harnesses lasers incorporating surgical accuracy during spine surgery.
Procedure: An endoscope and a laser probe are inserted through a sufficiently small opening. The nerve pressure is relieved by the application of a laser on the damaged site to remove or shrink the damaged tissues.
The sections that are treated by this procedure are the thoracic and lumber regions of the spinal column.
Procedure: A tubular retractor and endoscope also give an approach to the spine but at the same time shield muscles and soft tissues. This treatment is helpful in back pain that is due to causes like spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or spondylolisthesis.
Spinal surgery through endoscopy seems to be appropriate for the management of patients with backache, sciatica, or disc herniation. As it involves small cuts, the patients are likely to be healed sooner than traditional less invasive spinal cord operations. This technique has many benefits some of them are:
Endoscopic spine surgery allowed treating spinal conditions with less invasive effect and shorter recovery time, compared to traditional methods. Mr. Irfan Malik is the best endoscope spine surgeon are assured to offer innovative treatment to respond to your specific condition to ensure you can move and live a normal life again. Don’t let that pain in your back hold you back from reaching your goals follow the first step and call us now for an appointment. Head over to Mr. Irfan Malik to find out how he offer both compassion and innovative approaches to patient care. Your relief starts here!
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