The dott. Luca Serra, Vertebral Surgery of the Pascale Institute in Naples and Israelite Hospital, explains the achievements reached in this field
Dr. Serra, what is meant by minimally invasive spinal surgery?
In recent years, the progress of surgical techniques and increasingly sophisticated instruments have made it possible to transform traditional surgery into minimally invasive spinal surgery which allows the treatment of many pathological conditions of the spine with interventions in day surgery or with very short hospitalizations.
What are the advantages for patients compared to traditional spine surgery?
The advantages are considerable: smaller incisions, less post-operative pain, less blood loss, shorter hospital stay with consequent cost reduction, fewer pain control drugs and a much faster recovery of work and life activities daily.
In which column disorders can minimally invasive surgery be applied?
In almost all the most frequent morbid conditions: disc hernias, fractures, canal stenosis, instability, spondyloses and tumors. In the case of a herniated disc, for example, among the many possibilities among which the surgeon can choose, percutaneous discectomy is certainly one of the best techniques available today. With an adequate selection of cases to be treated this procedure, in fact, is effective in 80% of cases, with the immediate disappearance or significant reduction of pain symptoms. In osteoporosis, trauma or tumor fractures, vertebroplasty makes it possible to secure the column by avoiding the need for metal busts and immobilization and ensuring the disappearance of pain.
For more info: segreteria@lucaserra.it www.lucaserra.it
