We are able to accomplish a lot working through tiny incisions because we employ the use of the surgical microscope or endoscope, which provide excellent magnification and illumination of the surgical field. The safe execution of these procedures requires a high level of hand eye coordination and microsurgical skill.
There are only a few surgeons that offer true minimally invasive spine surgery. There is a big difference between operating through a ½-1 inch incision and operating through a 5-inch incision.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Smaller surgical incisions
- Less soft tissue disruption
- Less damage to spinal muscles with less blood loss
- Lower risk of infection
- Minimal or no scarring
- Reduced post-operative pain with shorter hospital stay
- Faster recovery and a quicker return to normal activities
I use many minimally invasive techniques within my practice. As with most Neurosurgeons, I am extensively trained in the use of the operative microscope allowing illumination, magnification and higher precision surgery.
This is an animation giving an idea of the steps during a lumbar microdiscectomy.
I further refined my practice by aiming for an even smaller incision with less tissue disruption, by a tubular keyhole system through a muscle dilatation technique rather than muscle cutting whenever possible.
This is an animated video giving an idea of the steps required for a tubular keyhole approach:
I also trained on use of the endoscope, after assessing many different endoscopic systems on the market; I have introduced this into my practice for suitable cases.
These illustrative videos give an idea about the endoscopic spine system I employ: