Laser Spine Surgery

With all of the medical technology being introduced on a daily basis, is it any wonder that spine surgery is now easier and safer with the influx of laser spine surgery? Although laser spine surgery may not be an option for everyone, it is usually an attractive option for the most common spinal-related ailments. The procedure is minimally invasive, and the recovery time speedy.

Laser spine surgery is performed endoscopically, meaning that the surgery is essentially non-surgical. A tiny incision is made to insert an endoscope. An endoscope is a wand with a tiny camera on the end that provides the surgeon with a view of the back. The entry point is much smaller in laser spine surgery in comparison to a traditional spine surgery. It is so small that stitches are not required. Instead, the incision site is covered with steri-strips and band-aids.

Laser spine surgery lessens the post-op recovery period because bones do not have to be broken or removed, and muscles in the back are not dissected or cut. Generally, the surgery time is lessened, and there is no hospital stay required with laser spine surgery.

Other perks of laser spine surgery include a speedier recovery, use of local anesthesia instead of general anesthesia, and a less expensive price tag than traditional spine surgery. Traditional spine surgery costs a patient around $78, 475. This price includes the operating and recovery room fee, anesthesia, and the hospital stay (about 3 days). A typical laser spine surgery costs between $11,000-$14,000.

The speedier recovery from laser spine surgery allows the patient to get back to work and other daily activities in less time. The recovery period varies with each person, but is usually no more than three months, compared with a year needed from traditional back surgery. Laser spine surgery can be used to correct ailments such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, and arthritis. It can also be used to correct a previously failed back surgery.

Spine surgery statistics obtained from the Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine and Surgery show that risks and complications of laser spine surgery are actually lower in comparison to traditional back surgery. Scars will also be mild. The main risk of laser spine surgery is infection at the incision site. Other complications include a clicking noise, or nerve damage. Spine surgery statistics also show that there is a 15% chance of complications.

With spine surgery statistics boasting the lowered risks and complications for laser back surgery, it is no wonder that laser spine surgery has gained popularity. As technology continues to advance in the world, it continues to impact the medical field. Because of lessened recovery times and lowered costs, laser spinal surgery is now available to more of the population. In time, laser spine surgery should advance to treat all spinal ailments.


Sources:
Haufe, SM, and Mork, AR. “Complications Associated with Cervical Endoscopic Disectomy with the Holmium Laser.” PubMed. 22 Feb. 2000. Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine and Surgery. 6 February 2007 <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi? cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&l />Dr. Choy's Fee Schedule. Laser Spine Center. 1 June 2006. 5 February 2007 <http://www.laserspinecenter.com/pricing.html&g t;.
Thongtrangan, Dr. Issada, et al. “Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery: A Historical Perspective.” Neurosurg. Focus. 2004.  Department of Neurosurgery Standford University Medical Center. 5 Feb. 2007   <http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:GOy0HC1q7X QJ:www.aans.org/education/journal/neurosurgical/ja />Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Information Center. SpineUniverse. 1999-2006. SpineUniverse.com. 6 Feb. 2007. < http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/ar ticle2010.html>
What Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. Tri-State Neurosurgical Associates – UPMC. 12 Mar. 2003. 6 Feb. 2007 < http://www.josephmaroon.com/minvas.htm>