Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Minimally invasive spine surgery is a method to view and access the spine using the technique that does not damage the tissue and nearby muscles. In contrast, in a traditional method of open surgery, the surgeon makes a long incision through the skin. To explain further, to get access to the site, the surgeon makes a large incision and a large amount of muscle and nearby soft tissue are pulled away from the bone. As a result, this leads to increased recovery time and is more painful after the surgery.

On the other hand, the other method, which is minimally invasive surgery, is more advanced techniques that need small and few incisions through the skin. In this method, a thin tube or endoscope passes through the cut that is made by the surgeon allowing it to work through a small incision area. Consequently, this results in better ways like less damage to the muscle,soft tissue, and skin. Moreover, this also requires less time to recover and is also helpful in faster recovery.

Types of minimally invasive spine surgery

Different types of spine surgeries can approach a minimally invasive option. Some of the common types of minimally invasive spine surgery include:

Diskectomy

Spinal fixation or spinal fusion

Spinal decompression

Conditions that are treated with minimally invasive spine surgery

Minimally invasive spine surgery in India can treat some specific conditions such as:

Cervical Spondylosis

Degenerative or slipped disks

Herniated disk

Instability

Kyphosis

Scoliosis

Spinal stenosis

Spinal tumors

Vertebral compression fractures

Understanding the procedure to perform minimally invasive spine surgery

Before starting the surgery the doctor will give anesthesia to the patient, the type of anesthesia depends upon the type of spine surgery. The surgery may give local anesthesia that helps to number the site of the spine. This anesthesia will not let you sleep but also won't feel pain during the surgery.

The surgeon makes an incision in the skin through the back, chest or abdomen.

Then a small and thin tube is used under the microscope to get the view on the monitor screen. The surgeon will insert a stick-like device attached with a camera on the end of the tube, this tube is known as an endoscope.

A small surgical instrument is used to complete the procedure through the endoscope tube.

Then removal of retractors and devices is performed and tissue is returned to their natural position.

Then the surgeon closes the incision and covers it with a bandage.

Benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery

Some of the potential benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery include:

Less risk of infection

Few and less scar

Less pain after the surgery due to less damage to the tissue and muscle damage

Reduce blood loss

Risk of minimally invasive spine surgery

No surgery comes with zero risk. All surgeries have their own risks and complications. Some of the common risks of minimally invasive spine surgery procedures include:

Bleeding

Blood clots

Infection

Nerve damage

No relief symptoms

Pain

Bone doesn't respond as expected

Spinal fluid leak

Misplacement of implant

Side effects of anesthesia

Tissue damage

Cost of minimally invasive spine surgery in India

The cost of minimally invasive spine surgery in India is affordable and cheap compared to western nations. No doubt India is among those who are providing best medical care and services and that too at most affordable as cheap rates.

However, the overall cost of the treatment may vary depending on several factors. These factors include the surgeon’s expertise, the type of implant, the location of the hospital, and more.

Summary

Minimally invasive spine surgery is a method to view and access the spine using the technique that does not damage the tissue and nearby muscles.

In this method, a thin tube or endoscope passes through the cut that is made by the surgeon allowing it to work through a small incision area.

Moreover, this also requires less time to recover and is also helpful in faster recovery.