Endoscopy Spine

Endoscopic surgery for the spine is a revolutionary alternative to the open-back surgeries that have traditionally dominated the medical industry. The word endoscopy means "looking inside," which is the basis of an endoscopic procedure. Where open-back surgery requires a large incision to give surgeons access to the spine, endoscopic spine surgery is conducted through an incision about 5 millimeters in length. Through this small incision, a series of tubes, a tiny camera (or "endoscope"), and micro-instruments are inserted, making endoscopic procedures much less invasive and risky than open-back surgery.

Minimally invasive techniques reduce the risk of infection and allow faster recovery. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, you may need only one night in a hospital -- or none at all -- after laparoscopic gallbladder removal. After traditional surgery, you would be hospitalized for about five days.

Experts agree that for many common operations, minimally invasive techniques are as good or better than traditional procedures.

Drawbacks and Safety Issues With Endoscopic Surgery

There are a few key drawbacks to endoscopic, or minimally invasive surgery:

• Endoscopic operations may last longer.
• They may be more difficult for the surgeon.
• As a result, surgeons should be well-trained and experienced to perform these surgeries well.

"I've always said that minimally invasive surgery takes the pain of surgery away from the patient and gives it to the surgeon," says Argenziano. "That's still true, to some extent."

But there can be advantages to minimally invasive operations even for the surgical team. In many cases, the surgeon can see much more clearly with laparoscopic surgery, says William J. Hoskins, MD, Director of the Anderson Cancer Institute at the Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Ga.

And with a surgeon who is experienced with minimally invasive surgery, the operation may go quickly.

"Ninety percent of the cardiac operations that I do with minimally invasive techniques don't take any longer than traditional surgery," says Argenziano. "A few are actually faster."

Other Resources:

• WebMD Understanding Endoscopic Surgery
• Endoscopy Surgery for the Spine
• http://www.sciatica.com/