When we think of a spine operation , many of us are afraid, right? We think of a large incision in our back and having to stay in bed for months. But with the advancement of medical science, we don't have to be afraid anymore. Today we are going to talk about a very advanced method of spine surgery that is not very harmful to the body. This is called Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery.
What is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
Simply put, this is a method of performing back surgery with as little damage as possible to the muscles and tissues surrounding your spine.
Think about it, in traditional "open surgery" in the past, the surgeon would make a long, wide incision in the back so he could see where he was going to operate. Then, the muscles and tissue in that area would be removed to perform the surgery. This meant that there was a lot of pain after the surgery and it took a long time to heal.
But in this new method, called the Minimally Invasive method, the doctor makes one or more very small incisions instead of a large one. Then, a small metal tube or camera-equipped device (endoscope) is inserted through that incision and the surgery is performed through that. This causes very little damage to the muscles, tissues, and skin. As a result, your recovery time is greatly reduced.
What back diseases can be cured with this method?
This minimally invasive procedure can be used to treat or manage many back conditions. Some of them include:
- Cervical Spondylosis
- Degenerative or “slipped” disks
- Herniated disk
- Spinal instability
- Kyphosis
- Scoliosis
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Spinal tumors
- Vertebral compression fractures
Who is suitable for this surgery?
Your surgeon will decide whether you are a good candidate for this surgery. He or she will consider several factors , the most important of which is whether the area of your back problem can be reached through such small incisions.
Typically, surgery is considered only if symptoms cannot be relieved by other methods, such as medication and physical therapy.
If you can pinpoint exactly where in your spine the cause of your symptoms is, your doctor is more likely to consider this minimally invasive procedure because they don't need to open up your entire spine to find the problem.
How should you prepare before surgery?
Before the surgery, you will need to meet with your doctor. He will examine you and order several tests to plan the surgery. He will also give you some special instructions that you need to follow before the surgery. Some of them are:
- Get some additional tests done on your back, such as an X-ray , CT (Computed Tomography) , or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) .
- If you are a smoker, stop .
- Exercise regularly before surgery. This will keep your body and muscles strong and help shorten your recovery time.
- You may need to stop or start taking certain medications before surgery. You may also be asked to stop taking certain supplements that can interfere with your recovery. But remember, never stop taking any medications without your doctor's approval.
- Follow the instructions exactly about what to eat and drink the night before surgery.
- Arrange for someone to take you to the hospital and back home on the day of surgery. It's also a good idea to have someone to help with household chores during the first few days of recovery.
What happens during the surgery?
On the day of your surgery, an anesthesiologist will give you anesthesia. Depending on the type of surgery being performed, you may be given local anesthesia, which numbs only a specific area of your back. This will leave you conscious but unable to feel any pain. Or you may be given general anesthesia, which puts you completely to sleep.
During the operation, the surgeon follows these steps:
1. A small incision or several incisions are made on the skin of your back, chest, or abdomen.
2. A small tube is inserted through the incision and the surgery is performed using a microscope . Or, an endoscope with a camera attached to the tip is inserted to view the surgical area.
3. Using very small surgical instruments, the necessary surgery is completed through the endoscope or other small tubes (tubular retractors).
4. Once the surgery is complete, all the instruments that were inserted are removed. The muscles and tissues then go back to where they were.
5. Finally, the incisions are closed and bandages are applied.
This method is very subtle. Rather than opening a big door and entering a house, it's like looking through a keyhole, inserting a small wire, and doing what you need to do. So it doesn't harm the surrounding things.
What are the benefits of this surgery?
Let's look at the advantages of minimally invasive spine surgery. These advantages are clearly visible when compared to traditional open surgery.
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Short recovery time | Because there is less damage to muscles and tissues, you can recover more quickly. |
| Less pain | The pain after the surgery is much less than after open surgery. |
| Small scars | Instead of a large scar, only one or a few very small scars remain. |
| Reduced risk of infection | Because the incisions are small, the risk of wound infection is low. |
| Less bleeding | The amount of blood lost during surgery is minimal. |
Because of these benefits, you can get up and go back to work sooner than with regular surgery. This means you won't need to take as much time off from your job or studies.
Are there any risks to this surgery?
Yes, like any surgery, there are some risks involved in this procedure, but these are relatively low.
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Symptoms not improving
- Pain
- Bones not joining together as expected (Pseudoarthrosis)
- Reaction to anesthesia
- Tissue damage
- Spinal fluid leak
Very rarely, the surgery may not go as expected. If this happens, a second surgery may be required or the doctor may have to switch from a minimally invasive approach to open surgery.
What to expect during recovery?
The time it takes to fully recover can vary from a few weeks to a few months, depending on your age, overall health, and the nature of the surgery performed.
During the recovery period, you will need to get plenty of rest . This may be difficult if you are used to an active lifestyle. You should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for a few weeks after surgery. It is very helpful to have someone to help with household chores for the first few days.
To help you regain your strength and heal faster, your doctor may recommend physical therapy . Also, be sure to attend follow-up appointments after surgery. This is when the medical team can monitor your recovery and answer any questions you may have.
When to call a doctor or go to the hospital immediately
If you experience any of the following symptoms after surgery, you should be concerned.
| Opportunity | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Talk to your surgeon: | |
| Bleeding from the wound | If the cut continues to bleed. |
| Fever | If the body temperature rises. |
| Severe pain | If you have severe pain that cannot be controlled even with medication. |
| Swelling | If the area around the incision swells abnormally. |
| Go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately: | |
| Difficulty breathing | If you feel difficulty breathing. |
| Severe headache | If you have a very severe headache. |
Back pain can have a big impact on your daily life. It's normal to be scared of the idea of surgery, but this minimally invasive procedure is no more scary than traditional surgery. The doctors who perform this surgery are highly trained. So, be sure to discuss any concerns or fears you may have with your doctor before the procedure.
Take-Home Message
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery is a modern, less invasive method of spine surgery.
- This results in less pain, shorter healing time, and smaller scars than traditional surgeries.
- As with all surgeries, there are some risks, but they are relatively low.
- Following medical instructions carefully before and after surgery is essential for a speedy recovery.
- Talk openly with your doctor about your condition, treatment options, and the pros and cons of surgery.
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