Endoscopic surgery for the spine is a revolutionary alternative to the open-back surgeries that have traditionally dominated the medical industry. The word endoscopy means “looking inside,” which is the basis of an endoscopic procedure. Where open-back surgery requires a large incision to give surgeons access to the spine, endoscopic spine surgery is conducted through an incision about 5 millimeters in length. Through this small incision, a series of tubes, a tiny camera (or “endoscope”), and micro-instruments are inserted, making endoscopic procedures much less invasive and risky than open-back surgery.
Minimally invasive techniques reduce the risk of infection and allow faster recovery.
Experts agree that for many common operations, minimally invasive techniques are as good or better than traditional procedures.
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