While many patients are just now learning about minimally invasive spine surgery and its benefits, this type of procedure has actually been around for many years. Some healthcare institutions have recently adopted this means of treatment, but the procedure has long been considered a clinical surgery, as opposed to an experimental surgery. As the name implies, an experimental surgery is one that is still in the early stages of being tested and does not have enough valid data regarding outcomes to make it a safe option for the majority of patients. , On the other hand, a clinical surgery like minimally invasive spine surgery, involves surgical techniques and technology that has been developed and standardized over an extended period of time.

What Is the History of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

To get a clearer sense of how minimally invasive spine surgeries differ from experimental surgeries, it may be useful to look at the history of the procedure, its development, and the recent advances in technology that have now made it a viable treatment option for many spine conditions.

A minimally invasive spine surgery involves an endoscope, which is a tiny camera that can be inserted into tubes that enter the body through a small incision. This is what allows a surgeon to see the inside of the spine without having to make an extremely large incision or cut away musculature and soft tissues. The concept for an endoscope was first developed in the early 1800s, but it was not until the middle of the next century that endoscopes were used in clinical settings to explore openings in the body for diagnostic purposes only. The late 1950s saw the development of fiber optics, which allowed a photographic image to be created from the endoscope. During the late 1970s and 1980s, surgeons began using endoscopes to perform minimally invasive discectomies on patients with herniated discs and bulging discs.

Why Is Endoscopic Spine Surgery Less Invasive?

Prior to the development of surgical endoscopes for spinal procedures, the only way that surgeons could have a clear view of the spine and have room to perform the necessary surgery was by making an extremely large incision and dissecting the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the spine. This is obviously a more invasive technique that poses a high risk of infection, nerve damage, scar tissue formation, and other complications. However, an endoscope is an extremely small tool that can be funneled to the site of spine damage through a series of telescoping tubes. The tubes can be inserted through a small incision and connective tissues are simply moved aside, not cut, with the use of pituitary rongeurs. Once the endoscope has reached the area that needs to be addressed, it can project an extremely detailed, precise video image of the interior of the spine onto a monitor for the surgeon to see.

Is Endoscopic Surgery Right For Me?

Although many patients who suffer from debilitating spine conditions may be interested in endoscopic spine surgery, not all individuals will be candidates for this type of procedure. People with mild to moderate degenerative spine conditions who have tried a wide range of conservative treatments may be candidates for this type of surgery, whereas patients with structural instability in their spines from conditions like scoliosis and spondylolisthesis may require a more targeted stabilization surgery like spinal fusion.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to endoscopic surgery.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to endoscopic surgery. http://laserspine.net/

Author Bio: John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to endoscopic surgery.

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: Endoscopic surgery