{"id":29799,"date":"2023-09-18T12:33:31","date_gmt":"2023-09-18T12:33:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sciatica.com\/?p=29799"},"modified":"2024-12-18T12:41:40","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T12:41:40","slug":"tiny-camera-center-stage-in-spinal-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sciatica.com\/blog\/tiny-camera-center-stage-in-spinal-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"How Tiny Cameras are Now Taking Center Stage in Spinal Surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Nima Salari, M.D. FAAOS<\/strong><\/div>\n
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Dr. Salari is a Board-Certified, Fellowship-Trained Orthopedic Spine Surgeon with specialized training in the operative and non-operative treatment of pathologic conditions affecting the spine. He specializes in ultra-minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery and cervical artificial disc replacement.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Dealing with back pain caused by disc degeneration and herniation has long been a challenge. For years, surgeons have been using various techniques to address these issues, with the operating microscope being a crucial tool. However, a game-changing evolution is happening in spinal surgery thanks to a device that\u2019s been around for a while \u2014 the endoscope. In this article, we\u2019ll delve into how this tiny camera, which has sat in the background, is now stepping into the spotlight to reshape the way we treat back problems and offer hope for faster recovery.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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What Is Endoscopic Surgery?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Endoscopic surgery relies on an endoscope<\/a>, a rigid tube containing optical lens with an attached camera. The endoscope with attached camera is inserted into the body, usually through an incision in the skin in the lower back. It gives the surgeon more visibility and facilitates operation through a much smaller incision.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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These devices aren’t new and are commonly used for minimally invasive procedures, like inspecting the knees, shoulders and hips in orthopedic surgery. Providers can also use endoscopies to collect biopsies for tumors in the spine. Their small incisions make them great for minimizing damage, and many endoscopic procedures don’t require a general anesthetic. Spinal surgery, for example, only requires conscious intravenous sedation and a local anesthetic, reducing risk and speeding up the time the patient spends under observation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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In endoscopic spinal surgery<\/a>, the provider uses X-rays to find the correct location on the spine before making a tiny quarter-inch incision. The endoscope gets fed through the incision, and specialized instruments get fed through the endoscope. The surgeon can then operate on the nerves according to the procedure required. After removing the endoscope, the patient receives a small stitch and bandage on the incision site. They can typically go home within a few hours of surgery.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Some conditions that can benefit from a spinal endoscopy surgery include sciatica, herniated or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, and lower back pain.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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The Evolution of Endoscopic Spinal Surgery<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Back in the day, surgeons relied heavily on powerful microscopes to navigate the intricate landscape of the spine. These microscopically assisted techniques have long been the gold standard, allowing surgeons to perform delicate surgeries with precision. However, the procedure required moving sensitive nerves and tissues, removing bones, and using anesthesia. This approach, though effective, had its challenges.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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What\u2019s intriguing is that while we\u2019ve had the endoscope for quite some time, its role in spinal surgeries was relatively limited until recently. Its potential began to be recognized in the 1970s when innovative minds like Dr. Parviz Kambin and Dr. Harris Gellman introduced methods to approach the spine from the side. This opened up the possibility of improved access to the intervertebral disc space.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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As the years passed, the endoscope\u2019s potential in spinal surgeries gained traction. Dr. Anthony Yeung\u2019s significant contributions to this field<\/a> involved designing a special endoscope that changed the game. When combined with specially designed tubes, this instrument allowed surgeons to get an inside view of the spine without making extensive incisions. This breakthrough meant that surgeons could access intricate areas more precisely and remove problematic fragments more accurately.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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While the endoscopic technique has been around for a while, its adoption has been slower compared to other fields like abdominal surgeries or joint examinations. However, that\u2019s changing. Thanks to advancements in technology and a better understanding of the technique\u2019s potential, more surgeons are turning to endoscopic methods for spinal surgeries.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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The Benefits of Endoscopic Surgery<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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The shift towards endoscopic spinal surgery isn\u2019t just a passing trend \u2014 it\u2019s backed by solid evidence. Studies have shown that patients undergoing endoscopic procedures<\/a> experience benefits such as:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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