About This Blog:
- For many spine surgeons, minimally invasive spine surgery is the preferred method for mitigating deformities and degenerative conditions in the spine.
- While most spine surgeons choose to perform minimally invasive surgery on patients today, there is an alternative method called laser spine surgery.
- In this blog, Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine explains the differences between laser spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery.
Laser spine surgery is considered a “hot topic” among spine surgeons in the field for many reasons. There are a few spine specialists in the industry who believe using lasers will help improve spine surgery outcomes, and there are others who argue the many benefits of minimally invasive techniques. Needless to say, laser spine surgery has produced much controversy among physicians performing spine surgeries today, and many patients want to know what the fuss is all about. For this blog, Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine will break down the differences between the two surgical specialties. Continue reading for more information on laser spine surgery!
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery vs. Laser Spine Surgery
The differences between the two practices may seem self-explanatory, but it’s important patients know every aspect of both surgeries. First, minimally invasive spine surgery is the latest technique to date that utilizes small surgical instruments and tiny cameras with real-time video to remove or repair damaged vertebrae. The purpose of minimally invasive spine surgery is to use smaller tools to create smaller incisions, which ultimately spare the excision of vital muscles and tissues. This generally results in fewer traumas, reduced blood loss, minimal pain, and a faster recovery compared to traditional open back surgery.
Technically, laser spine surgery utilizes these same techniques, but instead of using a traditional scalpel to make the necessary cuts into tissue and bone, surgeons use a laser. Many patients assume the use of lasers during surgery equates to a better surgeon. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about laser spine surgery, and many patients are misinformed about the procedure itself.
First of all, the use of a laser during surgery does not mean your back will be incision-free. This is a common falsehood, and on the contrary, an incision will still need to be made to access damaged vertebrae in the spine. Moreover, lasers in laser spine surgery play a very small role in the surgery itself; meaning, the laser is only used to remove soft tissue. Other surgical instruments will be used to remove damaged bone and ligaments in the spine. One of the reasons for this is due to the fact that lasers are s straight beam of light. Therefore, they are not conducive to accessing hard-to-reach areas or structures that curve.
Overall, laser spine surgery may sound like a flashier, more advanced choice for surgery, but there is still much that needs to be done to perfect this surgical method. Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine prefers to use minimally invasive techniques when performing surgery because they get the job done in a quick and efficient manner.
For more information on minimally invasive spine surgery or to make an appointment with Dr. Giovanini, please call (850) 934-7545 or visit https://www.neuromicrospine.com/request-appointment.
We hope to see you soon!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.