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Dr. Paresh Bang
Consultant Spine Surgeon
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery In Hoshangabad
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) In Hoshangabad refers to a set of surgical techniques that aim to treat various spinal conditions with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues. The primary goal of minimally invasive spine surgery is to achieve the same surgical objectives as traditional open spine surgery while minimizing damage to muscles, ligaments, and other structures. This approach often results in smaller incisions, reduced postoperative pain, faster recovery times, and shorter hospital stays.
Minimally invasive techniques can be used to treat a variety of spinal conditions, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spinal deformities, and more. The specific procedure chosen depends on the patient’s diagnosis and the surgeon’s expertise.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Procedure
Patient Evaluation: Before the surgery, the patient undergoes a thorough evaluation, which may include imaging studies such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans. The surgeon reviews the patient’s medical history, symptoms, and diagnostic results to determine the most appropriate surgical approach.
Anesthesia: The patient is placed under general anesthesia or, in some cases, conscious sedation. The choice of anesthesia depends on the specific procedure and the patient’s medical condition.
Tubular Retractors or Endoscope Insertion: Depending on the specific technique used, the surgeon may insert tubular retractors or an endoscope through the small incisions. Tubular retractors create a tunnel-like pathway to the spine, while an endoscope is a thin tube with a camera and light source for visualization.
Visualization: With the aid of advanced visualization technology, such as a microscope, endoscope, or specialized camera system, the surgeon obtains a clear and magnified view of the surgical site.
Diseased Tissue Removal or Correction: Using specialized instruments inserted through the small incisions, the surgeon removes or corrects the diseased or damaged tissue.
Implant Placement (if needed): In cases where spinal fusion is part of the procedure, the surgeon may place implants such as screws, rods, or interbody cages to stabilize the spine and promote fusion.
Closure of Incisions: Once the surgical objectives are achieved, the surgeon closes the small incisions with sutures or adhesive strips. The skin is closed with minimal scarring.
Recovery and Observation: The patient is monitored in the recovery area. Depending on the specific procedure and the patient’s condition, they may be observed for a brief period before being discharged.
Conditions Treated
MISS can be used to treat various spinal conditions, including:
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Spinal instability
- Scoliosis and other spinal deformities
- Spinal fractures (from trauma or osteoporosis)
- Spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebra)
- Tumors of the spine
- Spinal infections
Benefits
- Smaller Incisions: Typically, the incisions in MISS are less than 1 inch long, as compared to the 5-6 inch incisions required for traditional open surgery.
- Less Muscle Damage: In traditional surgery, muscles are often cut or moved aside to access the spine. In MISS, muscle-sparing techniques are used, which can reduce postoperative pain and promote faster recovery.
- Reduced Pain: Patients tend to experience less postoperative pain with MISS due to less trauma to surrounding tissues.
- Faster Recovery: Recovery times are often shorter, allowing patients to the return to their normal activities more quickly.
- Lower Risk of Infection: Smaller incisions or less exposure of internal tissues reduce the risk of infection.
- Less Blood Loss: The reduced tissue damage results in significantly less blood loss during the procedure.
Common Procedures
- Microdiscectomy:
- Purpose: Treats herniated discs by removing the portion of the disc pressing on spinal nerves.
- Procedure: A small incision (about 1 inch) is made, and a microscope or endoscope is used to guide the removal of the disc material.
- Recovery: Usually performed on an outpatient basis, with a recovery time of a few weeks.
- Minimally Invasive Laminectomy/Decompression:
- Purpose: Relieves pressure on the spinal cord or nerves caused by spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).
- Procedure: A small incision is made, and instruments are used to remove part of the vertebra (lamina) to create more space for the spinal cord.
- Recovery: Patients may experience immediate relief of symptoms, with a recovery time of 4-6 weeks.
- Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion:
- Purpose: Stabilizes the spine by permanently connecting (fusing) two or more vertebrae, often used for conditions like spondylolisthesis or severe degenerative disc disease.
- Procedure: Instead of making large incisions, surgeons make small incisions and use specialized instruments to insert bone grafts, rods, and screws to fuse the spine.
- Recovery: MISS fusion typically results in a shorter hospital stay (2-3 days) and quicker return to daily activities compared to traditional open fusion surgery, although full recovery may take 3-6 months.
- Percutaneous Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty (for Compression Fractures):
- Purpose: Treats spinal compression fractures caused by osteoporosis or cancer.
- Procedure: A needle is inserted into the fractured vertebra through a small incision, and bone cement is injected to stabilize the fracture. In kyphoplasty, a balloon is used first to restore height to the collapsed vertebra.
- Recovery: Outpatient procedure with a quick recovery or immediate pain relief in most cases.
- Minimally Invasive Scoliosis Surgery:
- Purpose: Corrects spinal deformities like scoliosis.
- Procedure: Uses smaller incisions to insert rods and screws, correcting the curvature without the need for large incisions across the back.
- Recovery: This procedure offers a quicker recovery than traditional scoliosis surgery, but full recovery may take several months.
- Minimally Invasive Tumor Resection:
- Purpose: Removes spinal tumors with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues.
- Procedure: Surgeons use specialized tools and techniques to access and remove the tumor through small incisions, often combined with other treatments like radiation or chemotherapy.
- Recovery: Recovery depends on the size and location of the tumor, but MISS typically results in less pain and a quicker return to normal activities.
Techniques Used in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery:
- Tubular Retractors:
- Small, tubular devices that are inserted through the skin to create a working channel to the spine. These retractors gradually dilate the muscles rather than cutting through them, minimizing tissue damage.
- Endoscopic Surgery:
- Surgeons use an endoscope (a small camera attached to a tube) to visualize the spine. This allows them to operate through tiny incisions while viewing a high-definition image on a screen.
- Microscopic Surgery:
- A high-powered microscope is used to enhance visualization of the surgical area, allowing for precise removal of damaged tissue while sparing healthy tissue.
- Image-Guided Surgery:
- Advanced imaging techniques like fluoroscopy, intraoperative CT, or MRI scans provide real-time guidance to the surgeon, ensuring precise placement of instruments and implants.
- Robot-Assisted Surgery:
- Robotics may be used to improve precision in MISS. The surgeon controls robotic instruments, which are more stable and accurate in placing implants or performing decompression.
Risks and Complications:
As with any surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery carries risks, though they are generally lower than with open surgery. Potential risks include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Nerve damage
- Spinal fluid leak
- Failure of the hardware or implants
- Incomplete decompression or fusionContact Us
Conclusion:
Minimally invasive spine surgery is a comparable alternative to the traditional open spine surgery with narrower incisions, less muscle damage, less pain, and a faster recovery. Not all conditions of the spine can be treated with MISS; in some instances, traditional surgery will have to be done.Visit Our Hospital Discussing minimally invasive options with your spine surgeon if you are considering spine surgery will help determine the best course for your specific condition.