What is the difference between Endoscopic Spine Surgery and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

It is difficult to answer because minimally invasive spine surgery is a descriptive term and endoscopic spine surgery is an advanced technique to treat the spinal condition. In other words, endoscopic spine surgery is a procedure which can be considered as minimally invasive; however, some surgeons will describe their fusion techniques as minimally invasive.

The concept of minimally invasive spine surgery is hardly a new one. The concept of minimally invasive spine surgery is design to reduce collateral damage of soft tissues when a surgeon performing a surgical procedure. The surgeons use the small incisions to perform endoscopic spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery; the benefits were obvious, smaller incisions, less bleeding, less pain, quicker recovery, and outpatient surgery. In case, your gallbladder has to remove then your surgeon will perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy which is an endoscopic procedure because it is less invasive.

How the endoscopic spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery procedure works?

With the advancement in medical science, surgical procedures are becoming less invasive, requiring less recovery time and imposing less risk to patients and specialists.

While endoscopic spine surgery is considered a part of minimally invasive spine surgery, but there is a small difference in the length of incision perform for both the surgeries.

Endoscopes, or devices which is used for spine surgery, are typically the diameter of a standard pencil which is 5 to 7mm. The surgeon will insert the endoscope into your body through a small “keyhole” incision, just too large enough for the endoscope to fit through.

Your surgeon will use the specialized tools to perform the surgery through the tube. An endoscope is a very thin fiber-optic video camera, which helps your surgeon to see internal portions of your body and this camera will send the images to the computer screen. After that, your surgeon will perform the surgery by passing instruments through the endoscope to remove disc material or bone spurs.

When your surgeon uses this technique, the procedure is considered to be a true endoscopic surgery.

On the other hand, your surgeon will use the specialized instruments which allow them to perform the surgery through the smaller incisions with much less tissue disruption this procedure is known as minimally invasive spine surgery.

One of these specialized instruments is known as a tubular retractor, which is a series where the tubes gradually expand and progressively dilate and separate muscles and soft tissues to expose the desired anatomy.

According to the study, with the minimally invasive surgical techniques, the back and neck conditions are being treated in a more efficient manner.

Minimally invasive spine surgery is a procedure which does not involve a long incision and also it avoids any significant damage to the muscles surrounding the spine. This is a procedure which results in less pain after surgery and a faster recovery.

Spine Surgery India is a renowned medical tourism company for both endoscopic spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery.

What’s the motive of performing endoscopic spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery?

The motive of performing the minimally invasive spine surgery at all the network hospitals under Spine surgery India is to minimize trauma to the tissues surrounding the spine, resulting in less pain, less blood loss, and a faster recovery time. This results can be achieved by performing the spine surgery through smaller incisions, using an operating microscope or endoscope which help to see the structures of your spine so that your surgeon will able to perform the surgery accordingly.

Endoscopic spine surgery is often used alongside minimally invasive techniques. According to the professionals, the endoscopic spine surgery is more efficient and effective than minimally invasive spine surgery using more traditional surgical methods. The hospitals and clinics under Spine Surgery India, the leading medical tourism company have a team of dedicated and qualified surgeons with an experience of more than 30 years in performing the spine surgeries with latest surgical techniques. The surgeons at the hospitals and clinics under Spine Surgery India allow each individual to live a better and improved quality of life after the spine surgery.

Recovery after endoscopic spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery

Recovery from the surgeries like ACDF, XLIF, discectomy, and other forms of endoscopic surgery is much faster than the traditional spine surgery. In most of the cases, the patients are able to go back to their work within two weeks, especially the people who are doing the sitting jobs, and all other patients should be back to their work after six weeks of surgery, however your surgeon will advise you to avoid the activities like heavy lifting, twisting, swimming or bungee jumping. Also, your surgeon will assign the physical therapist who will help you in walking; standing etc. which can speed up your recovery and make it easier to get back to full function. You experience some pain after the endoscopic spine surgery for which your surgeon will prescribe you pain medication, but you will be able to switch to over the counter pain medication as you recover.

After your minimally invasive spine surgery you need to stay for 1 or 2 days in the hospital after that you can go back to your home. For the speedy recovery from the surgery, your surgeon will recommend you the best physical therapist who will teach you specific exercises which help you to become strong enough to return to your work and daily activities. In case, you have undergone for the fusion procedure them it may take several months to recover. Your comfort level, however, will often improve much faster. During your healing period, the fused spine must be kept in proper alignment and you will be taught how to move properly, reposition, sit, stand, and walk.

The recovery and the time to return your normal activities after the minimally invasive spine surgery will depend upon your individual procedure and condition. Your surgeon will properly evaluate you after your surgery to ensure that your recovery is progressing as expected.

Tags: endoscopic spine surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery