Differences between open operation and spinal endoscopy

Thanks to advances in technology, there are currently surgical techniques that incorporate new forms that are more effective and safer for the patient. In this way, an important development is being experienced in back interventions, framed within the concept of minimally invasive surgery, to treat different trauma pathologies of the spine.

What are the differences between an endoscopy and an open operation?

Broadly speaking, when talking about the treatment of spinal column pathologies through surgery, there are two main approach techniques. On the one hand, the traditional open surgery and, secondly, the advanced spinal endoscopy, a more current procedure for our times.

The main differences between both techniques refer to the size of the incisions. An open spine surgery requires an incision of several centimeters, while a spinal endoscopy is performed through different incisions that do not exceed one millimeter. Furthermore, on the other hand, since these are larger wounds, open surgery involves greater aggression to the patient's tissues and, therefore, poses a greater risk of infections.

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Also, another of the big differences between the two has to do with the duration of the intervention. While a spinal endoscopy usually does not last longer than 90 minutes, open surgery can last for several hours. Likewise, recovery time is noticeably shorter after spinal endoscopy.
It is worth mentioning that over the years advanced techniques and spine interventions have appeared that go hand in hand with endoscopic surgery. Thanks to these advances, the patient can treat different pathologies effectively and recover their daily routine more easily.

Minimally invasive endoscopic laser spine treatment

Advances in technology allow surgical techniques to incorporate new forms that are more effective and safer for the patient. One of them is minimally invasive endoscopic laser treatment. Using this procedure you can, for example, perform a rhizotomy (rhizolysis), a highly effective technique for cutting the nerve roots of the spinal cord.

Another procedure that is possible thanks to this technology is laser disc decompression.. This low-risk technique is performed under local anesthesia and consists of a simple puncture that effectively relieves chronic back pain and muscle discomfort.

In the case of laser herniated disc treatment, a method is used that consists of introducing a laser probe inside the herniated disc and evaporating the liquid from the disc so that it returns to its original place. This does not cause damage to it or alterations in its structure and relieves pain in the affected area.

In the same way, Is Laser Surgery Possible for Spinal Stenosis?. This treatment aims to expand the spinal canal to decompress the nerves. In some cases, it is also necessary to fix some vertebrae to stabilize the spine.

In addition to other spinal conditions that can be cured with this methodology, one of the possibilities to highlight is that of treatment of spinal cord tumors with laser. Through this technology, today it is possible to reach areas that were inaccessible in the past in order to remove benign or malignant masses of tissue.

What techniques exist to perform spinal surgery?

Thanks to advances in technology to find more effective and less harmful ways for the body, different methods can currently be used. safe techniques for performing spine surgery according to the needs of each patient and the specialist's diagnosis:

• Rhizolysis or rhizotomy: It involves disabling the sensory nerve of the facet joint, which relieves lower back pain or other chronic back pain or muscle spasms. It is a highly effective technique for cutting the nerve roots of the spinal cord.
• Lumbar, cervical and dorsal infiltration: By injecting an analgesic substance into a tissue or joint, an anti-inflammatory solution is provided locally. Treatment with infiltrations has minimal therapeutic aggressiveness and is highly effective.
• Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty: They are used to treat vertebral compression fractures (a common consequence of osteoporosis), by injecting cement into the fractured bone (vertebroplasty) or by inserting a balloon into the fractured bone, in order to create a space and fill it with cement (kyphoplasty).
• Cervical prosthesis (arthroplasty): it is a device that is placed between two vertebral pieces with the aim of replacing the intervertebral disc that joins them, restoring function or correcting a deformity.
• XLIF Technique: It is a lateral approach surgery of the spine used for lumbar fusion. This recent technique allows access through the outermost part of the abdomen.
• Microdiscectomy: This operation, in which a special microscope is used to view the disc and nerves, is intended to remove material from a herniated lumbar disc that is pressing on a nerve root or spinal cord.
• Advanced Spine Endoscopy: procedure that allows the doctor to see the inside of the patient's body through a camera in which very small incisions are made, making it less aggressive compared to other techniques.

What is endoscopic spine surgery?

One of the most beneficial operations thanks to technological advances is minimally invasive endoscopic surgery.. It's about a minimally invasive back surgical procedure It allows the doctor to see inside the patient's body through a camera (endoscope) and make minor incisions with tiny surgical instruments.

The main objectives of endoscopic surgery are:

• Have a detailed view of the affected organs.
• Accurately diagnose infections.
• Treat and prevent diseases.
• Perform surgery at a specific point.
• Generate less damage from the operation to the patient
• Shorten the patient's time in the hospital

When is it necessary to perform an advanced spinal endoscopy?

Once the patient with a back condition is examined and diagnosed by a specialist, he or she tells him or her what is the best treatment to cure his or her illness. In some cases, rest and medication are enough; In others, physiotherapy is included so that the area can regain its usual mobility; but andIn the most severe cases, the doctor may also indicate surgery.

Advanced endoscopic spine surgery will be performed once the specialist makes a complete diagnosis of the patient and decrees that this procedure is the best way to treat the pathology.

Advantages of a spinal endoscopy

There are different benefits of spinal endoscopy surgery. The main advantage of this type of surgery is that it is a minimally invasive procedure, so the incisions are very small and it is a less aggressive operation compared to other more traditional techniques.

Another thing that it has in its favor is that the patient is almost always discharged on the same day of the operation, so in-hospital time is lower to what it was in the past. In the same way, laser surgery allows for faster recovery. Because the damage caused to the tissues surrounding the operated area is less, the patient can return to their usual activities sooner.

But not only is recovery faster, it is also better. As it is a minimally invasive operation, post-surgical pain is milder. Not as many analgesics are needed after the operation and the quality of life is more pleasant for the patient leaving the operating room.

It is also worth noting that This technology brings fewer surgical complications in general, as can blood loss or the risk of infections. In this way, antibiotic treatments or potential second surgeries are also avoided.

Things to do when preparing for minimally invasive surgery

Considering the preoperative period for endoscopy spine surgery is very important. Although minimally invasive surgery does not present great risks and is a simple operation, the patient must take it with absolute seriousness and commitment since it will depend on him whether his body arrives in optimal conditions before undergoing surgery. There are a series of tips before spine surgery:

• Have an appointment with the anesthesiologist so that you can review your medical history and know the medications that the patient usually consumes. Surgeons must consider and control the possible interactions that medications may have in the surgical process.
• In the case of smokers, it is recommended quit smoking as soon as possible. Quitting smoking before spinal surgery will facilitate wound healing, reduce the risk of respiratory infections and prevent accelerated wear on the cartilage and bones of the spine.
• Having control over weight and diet also has its advantages. Heart problems, wound infections, and longer-than-usual hospital stays are common surgery complications in patients with obesity.
• Rest well the night before the process surgical. It is recommended to take a hot bath to go to bed calmly, without anxiety, and try to sleep for at least 6 hours (8 hours ideally).
• Ideally, perform pre-surgical physiotherapy to arrive in better conditions for the operation. After a surgical intervention, loss of function in the affected area is normal, but it may be less if the patient arrives at the operating room in the best possible shape.

If you have back problems or present symptoms related to different spinal conditions, book a private appointment with the Clínica Elgeadi team, which has traumatologists experts in spinal endoscopy in Madrid, It is the first step to regain the quality of life you want. As pioneers in advanced endoscopic spine surgery and thanks to many patients who trust us, we can guarantee it.