UNDERSTANDING MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE SURGERY

Minimally invasive spine surgery involves operating someone's spine without opening the whole back or damaging the surrounding tissue. The targeted area to be operated is the only part to be opened. The incision is made on the skin, and the surgery is carefully done, making use of specialised equipment. This is mainly used on injuries that are minimal that don't require the surgeon to see much. In traditional surgical procedures, surgeons usually make a long incision so that everything can be clear when operating on a patient, and it is mostly done on major injuries. 

TYPES OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE SURGERY

• Spinal decompression 

• Spinal fixation 

• Diskectomy 

WHAT DO THEY TREAT? 

• Cervical spondylosis 

• Degenerative disk

• Herniated disk 

• Instability

• Kyphosis 

• Scoliosis

• Spinal stenosis 

• Spinal tumours

• Vertebral compression structures 

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE PROCEDURE? 

The initial step before considering the surgery is to consult a surgeon for an examination of the spine in order to decide on the surgical equipment to be used. There are guidelines that a surgeon usually advises their patrons to follow. These instructions are to undergo more examinations, avoid smoking, and take certain medications to be stopped before the surgery; dietary instructions should be strictly followed and ask for support for later care post-surgery. 

WHAT HAPPENS DURING MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY?

Right before the surgery begins, a patient will get anaesthesia. This is done so that when one wakes up, they do not feel pain in their spine. The whole surgery involves: 

• Inserting a tube 

• Operate using a microscope 

• Tiny specialised surgical tools are used for the procedure

• Remove devices from the body

• Cover the incision 

THE RISKS AND BENEFITS OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE SURGERY

• The procedure is short 

• The time of recovery is less 

• Reduced risk of infection

• Low blood loss during the surgery

• Scarring on the operation site

THE DOWNSIDE OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE SURGERY

• Heavy bleeding 

• Clot of blood 

• Infections on the wound 

• Damaged nerves 

• Pain after the surgery 

• Untreated symptoms 

• Bones may not fuse as expected 

• Instrumentation misplacement 

• Negative reaction to anaesthesia

• Tissue damage 

• Leakage of the spinal fluid 

 RECOVERY AND OUTLOOK 

Age, general health and the difficulty of the procedure determine the speed of the recovery process. To add on, the cause of symptoms is also a factor in determining healing post minimally invasive spine surgery. The exact time taken is unknown, but approximately three to six weeks. It is essential to stay away from any activity at all during the process of recovery. Maximum sleep is required for an even faster recovery. 

To conclude, pain in the back will definitely be uncomfortable for patients, but it is not severe. One of the advantages of this procedure is that only a small portion is operated; therefore, it does not lead to a much painful back. Medications can be prescribed to subside the pain, but for the quickest recovery, it is advised that patients take adequate rest and avoid any activity at all. The cost of spine surgery in India varies from the experience of the surgeon to the location of the clinic or hospital.Thus, one should make an inquiry into the cost of the spinal surgery clinic.