Definition of Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Endoscopic spine surgery is a minimally invasive spine procedure that utilizes a series of long tubes so that small surgical tools can be funneled to the site of neural compression. A small video camera and a monitor allow the surgeon to view the surgery without opening up large portions of the spine, which means that connective tissues are not stripped or damaged during the procedure.

The Benefits of Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Minimally invasive procedures that utilize endoscopic technology offer the following benefits over highly invasive spine surgeries:

• No hospitalization – While highly invasive spine surgery requires hospitalization and general anesthesia, a patient undergoing an outpatient endoscopic procedure will only need local anesthesia and deep IV sedation.
• Shorter rehabilitation – The recuperative period after an endoscopic surgery is far shorter than that of an open spine operation.
• Greater range of mobility – Open spine surgeries often use bone grafts and stabilizing hardware to immobilize a section of the spine. However, an endoscopic spine procedure focuses on releasing neural compression while maintaining spinal flexibility.

The Role of Laser Spine Institute

As with any surgical procedure, endoscopic spine surgery should generally be considered only after conservative, non-operative treatments have been attempted. Your doctor may suggest a regimen of analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hot-cold compresses, or behavior modification. If weeks or months of these methods fail to offer you the pain relief you require, Laser Spine Institute may be able to help. We specialize in a variety of minimally invasive procedures that utilize state-of-the-art endoscopic technology aimed at releasing neural compression. Contact us today for a complimentary review of your MRI or CT scan and find out if you could be a candidate.