What is endoscopic spine surgery? How is the endoscopic surgery performed?

What is Endoscopic Spine Surgery?

Endoscopic Spine Surgery (ESS) is a minimally invasive surgical approach that involves making small incisions and using a tubular system combined with an endoscope to view the area being treated. This technique allows the surgeon to work with precision, ensuring that the spinal issue is addressed effectively. The endoscopic approach offers numerous advantages, including faster recovery and reduced pain.

In ESS, small incisions are made, and advanced surgical instruments are used to treat the spinal disorder. The procedure utilizes updated spinal imaging and optics to provide clearer visualization, ensuring more accurate and efficient treatment. This approach also improves spine mobility with minimal risk..

How is ESS a better surgical intervention as compared to other spine surgery?

Endoscopic spine surgery differs from traditional spinal surgery in that it is minimally invasive. Some of the key benefits of ESS include:

Reduced blood loss
Less postoperative pain and discomfort
Quicker recovery time
Minimized pain during and after the procedure
Use of tubular retractors reduces the need to cut through tissues, promoting a quicker healing process

What are the benefits of ESS?

ESS offers several advantages, including:

Small incisions that cause less trauma to the skin, muscle, and soft tissues, leading to less blood loss and a faster recovery.
The procedure typically lasts about one hour, with reduced post-recovery time.
Hyper-targeting the surgical site with minimal tissue disruption ensures better outcomes and fewer complications.

Potential Benefits

Small incisions and hyper-targeting of the surgical site means less trauma to the muscle, skin, and soft tissues which leads to less blood loss, and recovery time is faster.
In all, the procedure only takes one hour to complete and the post-recovery time is also less.

How is endoscopic spine surgery performed?

Before the surgery, the patient is given local anesthesia to minimize pain. Small incisions are made, and a tubular trocar is inserted. The procedure involves two main approaches, depending on the diagnosis:

Intralaminar
Transforaminal

Once the incision is made, a tiny camera is inserted into the surgical area, allowing the surgeon to view real-time images displayed on a monitor. This clear visualization helps the surgeon treat the affected spinal area accurately.

What makes me a suitable candidate for ESS?

ESS is suitable for patients with spinal issues such as moderate to severe disc herniation, spinal stenosis, sciatica, and facet arthritis. Before surgery is considered, non-surgical treatments like physical therapy and spinal injections are often recommended to help alleviate symptoms.

How do I find an experienced ESS surgeon?

Finding an experienced ESS surgeon involves careful research. Look for a spine specialist in your area with a strong medical background and a history of successful treatments. Ensure the surgeon is board-certified and has completed specialized training in spinal surgery. Choosing a surgeon who regularly performs endoscopic spine surgery will increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.

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