Latest Trends in Spine Surgery Techniques: Laser and Stem Cell Technology

Surgery techniques are constantly being revitalized or replaced completely, most of which with minimally invasive techniques. Take appendectomy for example, what used to require open surgery now has a minimally invasive technique to remove the appendix laparoscopicly. And with the latest in laser technology, spinal surgery can also be lumped into that category of revitalized surgeries.

Now minimally invasive spinal surgery uses a laser to perform various functions such as the removal of a herniated disk or the destruction of scar tissue that has bundled nerves together. It also uses an endoscope to give a visual to the performing surgeon. The down side however is the patient must be awake for the surgery to avoid unknowingly damaging nerves. The laser is extremely helpful though, in that it allows for very specific treatment of tissue, allowing for the surgeon to keep from damaging adjacent tissue. Another benefit of this type of surgery is that a large tube is used (16-18mm) so in case of a leak a quick repair can still be preformed with a fine suture. Now stem cells are also a part of this stile of spinal surgery in that they are used to down-regulate inflammatory response. Now while this technique does greatly reduce the risk of infection and speeds up the recovery process, the laser is non-reimbursable for the doctor which in turns creates larger costs for the patient, but over all the surgery is a definite step forward.

I found this article to be interesting due to the complexity of spinal surgeries and the need for care when performing them. The ability to limit some of the risk factors through the use of minimally invasive techniques as well as lasers and stem cells is interesting especially with my desire to enter some kind of surgical field.

Source:

http://www.beckersorthopedicandspine.com/spine/1924-latest-trends-in-spine-surgery-techniques-laser-and-stem-cell-technology