Endoscopic surgery is a term that refers to the use of a narrow diameter tube and high-intensity light source to provide a minimal access to the zone of pathology within your spine. An objective second opinion can help to determine if your spinal condition is amenable to an endoscopic approach.
Endoscopic surgery is a term that refers to the use of a narrow diameter tube and high-intensity light source to provide a minimal access to the zone of pathology within your spine. The advantages of such a minimally invasive technique include a smaller incision, less muscle dissection with potentially less postoperative pain, and the resultant more rapid recovery. Disadvantages may include inadequate or incomplete visualization of the lesion giving rise to your nerve compression and a potentially greater exposure to x-ray or fluoroscopy that is commonly utilized in conjunction with the endoscope. The peer-reviewed spine literature has yet to determine whether endoscopic spinal surgery is associated with better outcome when compared with more traditional surgical techniques. Understandably, most patients would opt for a more minimally invasive approach when pursuing surgical intervention for their spinal condition. An objective second opinion can help to determine if your spinal condition is amenable to an endoscopic approach.