Is Endoscopic Spine Surgery an Option For You?

Actual information

According to research, roughly 1.62 million instrumented spinal surgeries are conducted annually in the United States. Minimizing tissue injury, stress, and post-operative discomfort is critical for any patient's recovery from back surgery. Spinal surgery technology, equipment, instruments, and procedures have advanced significantly throughout the years. Let's look at what ESS is and isn't.

What Is Endoscopic Spinal Surgery?

ESS is defined as a surgical treatment that uses micro-sized incisions (less than 1 inch) and small tubular systems in conjunction with an endoscope to view the operative field. While endoscopic surgical methods are routinely used to treat other parts of the body (for example, the gastrointestinal tract), developments in optics, tissue visualization, and spinal imaging have made ESS a viable surgical treatment option for many patients.

Endoscopic spine surgery is a cutting-edge form of minimally invasive spine surgery that allows patients to heal faster and with less recurring pain than standard spine surgery approaches. ESS can also help maintain normal spine movement after surgery. In some situations, the ESS treatment can be conducted under regional anesthesia rather than general anesthesia, lowering overall medical risks in older patients and/or those with concurrent medical conditions that may raise surgical risk.

Do not confuse ESS with other types of spine surgery. Endoscopic spine surgery is not to be confused with standard techniques like minimally invasive, microinvasive, and/or laser spine operations. In the expert hands of a spine surgeon who frequently performs endoscopic spine surgery using tubular retractors and the endoscope. The procedure is performed in a new method, affording patients numerous possible benefits, including:

- Tubular retractors eliminate the need to cut through soft tissues (for example, skin tissue-to-muscle injury or damage);

- Less blood loss;

- Reduced postoperative discomfort and pain;

- Fast recuperation and healing.

However, ESS may not be suitable for many spine surgery indications, including scoliosis, spinal instability, malignancy, or trauma. Sometimes, the surgeon may prescribe a typical open or minimally invasive spine procedure.

ESS Benefits and Risks

There are always benefits and hazards to spine surgery, including ESS. That is why it is critical that you and your spine surgeon assess and discuss the possible benefits and dangers of treating your spinal disease with an endoscopic spine surgery technique.

Potential benefits

Small incisions and hyper-targeting of the surgical site reduce stress on the skin, muscle, and soft tissues, resulting in reduced blood loss and faster recovery. Furthermore, most ESS procedures take around an hour to complete, allowing the patient to be back on their feet within a few hours of postoperative recuperation.

Potential risks

ESS is a highly skilled surgical skill that is still in its early stages. As a result, only a small number of spine surgeons are adept in ESS procedures. Endoscopic spine surgery is typically not recommended for revision surgery, cases with obvious spinal instability, high-grade spondylolisthesis, or malignancy.

Are You A Candidate for ESS?

Many patients who are suitable for endoscopic spine surgery have been diagnosed with common spinal diseases. Some of these diagnoses include moderate to severe disc herniation, facet arthritis, sciatica, and spinal stenosis. However, spinal surgery is not usually the first option. It is generally suggested that non-surgical treatments (such as spinal injections and physical therapy) be tried before undergoing any sort of spine surgery, including ESS.

How Can I Find an ESS Surgeon?

Finding a specific type of spine specialist in your area may appear to be a hard endeavor. However, your healthcare professionals, particularly your primary care provider, are wonderful places to begin. They are aware of your medical history and have most likely treated you with nonsurgical care prior to considering spine surgery. It is usually a good idea to ensure that your spine surgeon is board-qualified and fellowship-trained and that the surgical technique you have suggested is performed on a regular basis.

The bottom line

Endoscopic spine surgery, a breakthrough spine surgical option, has emerged as a result of technological and methodological advancements. In the hands of a highly competent and experienced spine surgeon, this extreme form of minimally invasive surgery has the potential to give relief to a new generation of patients suffering from chronic back and neck pain.