New Surgical Technique Offers Quick Recovery for Spinal Patients This is not your father’s back surgery. NCH’s Board-Certified Neurosurgeon, Edison Valle, MD, FAANS, is among the first between Tampa and Miami to offer a minimally invasive surgical technique for patients who medically qualify. This is great news for patients suffering from spine-related conditions such as bulging, herniated or degenerated discs, compressed nerves, chronic back pain, nerve pain in the arms, legs or neck, or a reduced ability to walk. In the past, conventional, or open spine surgery, was the preferred treatment method for many of these conditions – requiring a long incision, and an extended recovery time due to the necessity of disrupting nearby muscles and tissues in order to reach the neural structures. The latest minimally invasive Endoscopic spine surgeries requires only a quarter-inch incision through which endoscopes, small fiber optic tubes with a light and lens, are fed into the spine, enabling the surgeon to perform the same surgeries. These procedures are not only faster, but they are also safer. Because trauma to nearby muscles, joints and tissues is avoided during an endoscopic procedure, the patient is able to enjoy a speedy recovery time. “Endoscopic spine procedures are the next generation of ‘super minimally invasive techniques,’ as they really do not disrupt the surrounding tissues,” explained Dr. Valle. “Since we use an endoscope no bigger than a pencil, there is no damage to the surrounding tissue as it is performed through a little opening in the spine. We can access the same nerves and the same part of the spine without disrupting any bone or any tissue whatsoever. This translates into minimal to no recovery time.” The minimally invasive surgical technique can be used to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves that can cause pain in the back, neck and extremities, and can also stabilize vertebral bones and joints. “So, it has really changed the way we think about spinal surgeries,” said Dr. Valle, adding that he and his team have now performed a handful of such procedures. “I am amazed at the results, especially as it speeds recovery for our older patients without damaging or changing the anatomy. And there is no scar, which patients also appreciate. When I see some post-op patients, it is hard to see where the incision was made.” Some minimally invasive surgeries are performed as outpatient procedures and utilize only local anesthesia, so there is less risk of an adverse reaction to general anesthesia, no recovery time, and patients can return home the same day. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Valle at NCH Physician Group, Neurosurgery, 311 9th Street N., Naples at (239) 624-4670 .
Benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS): • Reduced blood loss • Reduced risk of muscle damage, since less or no cutting of the muscle is required • Reduced risk of infection • Reduction of post-operative pain • Faster post-operative recovery with reduced need for rehabilitation • Better cosmetic results from smaller skin incisions (as small as several millimeters) Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgeries treat the following conditions: • Degenerative disc disease • Herniated disc • Lumbar spinal stenosis • Back pain • Sciatica • Spinal instability including spondylolisthesis • Vertebral compression fractures • Spinal tumors • Spinal deformities such as scoliosis Candidates for spine surgeries include patients with the following: • Bulging herniated or degenerated discs • Compressed nerves • Damaged discs when there is bone-on-bone friction • Chronic back pain • Nerve pain going down to the legs, sciatica • Neck pain or arm pain • Diminished or complete loss of the ability to walk
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SEPTEMBER 2021
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