Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Spine surgery is traditionally done as "open surgery." This means that the area being operated on is opened with a long incision to allow the surgeon to view and access the anatomy. In recent years, however, technological advances have allowed more back and neck conditions to be treated with a minimally invasive surgical technique.

Treatments

Endoscopic Spine Surgery
MISS fusions and decompression procedures (such as diskectomy and laminectomy) are performed using many different approaches. The most commonly used technique involves using a tubular retractor. During the procedure, a small incision is made and the tubular retractor is inserted through the skin and soft tissues down to the spinal column. This creates a tunnel to the small area where the problem exists in the spine. The tubular retractor holds the muscles open (rather than cutting them) and is kept in place The surgeon accesses the spine using small instruments that fit through the center of the tubular retractor. Any bone or disk material that is removed exits through the retractor, and any devices necessary for fusion — such as screws or rods — are inserted through the retractor. Some surgeries require more than one retractor or more than one incision. In order to see where to place the incision and insert the retractor, the surgeon is guided by fluoroscopy. This method displays real-time x-ray images of the patient's spine on a screen throughout the surgery. The surgeon typically views the important structures of the spine during surgery using a microscope. At the end of the procedure, the tubular retractor is removed and the muscles return to their original position. This limits the muscle damage that is more commonly seen in open surgeries. New techniques for minimally invasive spine surgery continue to evolve. For example, some surgeons are now using an endoscope (a small camera similar to that used in knee and shoulder surgery) to access the problem area in the spine. The most common types of anesthesia used for MISS are general (you are asleep for the entire operation) and regional (you may be awake, but you will have no feeling from your waist down). View

Endoscopic Spine Surgery

MISS fusions and decompression procedures (such as diskectomy and laminectomy) are performed using many different approaches. The most commonly used technique involves using a tubular retractor. During the procedure, a small incision is made and the tubular retractor is inserted through the skin and soft tissues down to the spinal column. This creates a tunnel to the small area where the problem exists in the spine. The tubular retractor holds the muscles open (rather than cutting them) and is kept in place

The surgeon accesses the spine using small instruments that fit through the center of the tubular retractor. Any bone or disk material that is removed exits through the retractor, and any devices necessary for fusion — such as screws or rods — are inserted through the retractor. Some surgeries require more than one retractor or more than one incision.

In order to see where to place the incision and insert the retractor, the surgeon is guided by fluoroscopy. This method displays real-time x-ray images of the patient's spine on a screen throughout the surgery. The surgeon typically views the important structures of the spine during surgery using a microscope.

At the end of the procedure, the tubular retractor is removed and the muscles return to their original position. This limits the muscle damage that is more commonly seen in open surgeries.

New techniques for minimally invasive spine surgery continue to evolve. For example, some surgeons are now using an endoscope (a small camera similar to that used in knee and shoulder surgery) to access the problem area in the spine.

The most common types of anesthesia used for MISS are general (you are asleep for the entire operation) and regional (you may be awake, but you will have no feeling from your waist down).

View