Endoscopic surgery for canal stenosis

The spinal column is a complex structure, composed of bones, ligaments, and thick cartilage discs that allow standing and protect the spinal cord that runs through it.

However, the canal through which the spinal cord runs can narrow, causing chronic pain and, in severe cases, nerve damage. This is known as spinal stenosis and can be treated.

Medullary canal stenosis can be operated on with high-tech techniques, such as the one we will discuss in this article: endoscopic surgery.

An endoscopic spinal surgery, indicated for canal stenosis, seeks to open the central canal with the help of an optician who gets into the spine, which will help us to see its structure.

What is endoscopic surgery?

It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows treating not only spinal canal stenosis but also other problems associated with this area, such as the common lumbar disc hernias.

Endoscopic spinal surgery improves the condition of patients with spinal stenosis in a fast, safe, effective and completely painless way.

The maneuverability of the medical equipment, its delicate precision and the surgeon's experience make this technique so special. The patient can feel confident that his health problem will be solved with little aggression to the skin, connective and nervous tissues, unlike traditional surgery where more risks are run.

How to prepare for endoscopic surgery?

First of all, medical evaluation of spinal canal stenosis with imaging studies, such as MRI, is key. This will allow the treating physician not only to know the magnitude of the narrowing but also to plan the surgical techniques aimed at solving the problem.

The patient is likely to undergo a pre-anesthetic evaluation as well to ensure that there are no risks of hypersensitivity.

On the day of surgery, it is recommended that the patient to be operated on arrives a couple of hours prior to surgery to prepare it and after surgery, about eight or twelve hours later, the patient can return home simply wearing a girdle. lumbar with superior reinforcement to protect small operative wounds.

Also, after the intervention, the patient must rest physically for a few days, avoiding strong physical activities such as running, jumping, playing sports or lifting heavy objects.

What does the surgeon do?

The objective of this surgical technique is the maximum reduction of the damage to the patient's tissues to guarantee a quick recovery, without scars or the need for rehabilitation and with a minimum risk of infection or bleeding, as with conventional surgery.

To do this, the surgeon makes very small incisions, less than one centimeter, through which the surgical instrumentation that is needed can be inserted.

This instrument consists of a flexible cannula with a camera at its end through which the surgeon visualizes in real time the operation site on a monitor and also the surgical tools themselves such as scalpels, spacers and forceps.

Video with an animated explanation of endoscopic surgery for canal stenosis

What other medical benefits does this technique have?

In addition to treating spinal (or spinal canal) stenosis, endoscopic spinal surgery has shown excellent results as definitive therapy for problems such as herniated discs.

The latter are increasingly common and more disabling for thousands of patients around the world, especially those with genetic predisposition, osteoarthritis, poor postural habits and sports injuries.

Advantages of Endoscopic Surgery

Clean surgery, with less risk of nerve injury, bleeding or infection. No injury to muscles and tendons in the area No uncomfortable scars on the back Short recovery time, no rehabilitation Quick return to daily activities Short stay in hospital Low dose of anesthesia Short surgery (approximately one hour Easy care of the operated area.

Disadvantages of endoscopic surgery

One of the problems that may exist with this technique is that on some occasions, the intervention is insufficient to eliminate the narrowing of the lumbar canal, some vertebrae tend to be very loose since it is not identified, in the case of osteoarthritis of the spine, which part is bone and which part is osteophytes, which can cause instability in the vertebrae.

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