Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Overview of Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Endoscopic Spine Surgery is a minimally invasive procedure. The surgeon performs it by making a small incision with an endoscope. An endoscope is a tube equipped with a tiny camera and light. Using this device, the surgeon can operate on the spine. It differs from traditional spine surgery because no large incisions are made. Patients prefer endoscopic surgery because it causes less trauma, less blood loss, quicker recovery, and leaves smaller scars compared to the traditional method.

Symptoms Indicating the Need for Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Endoscopic Spine Surgery is advised mainly for conditions like a herniated disc, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), and sciatica. It relieves pain by precisely decompressing and removing material or tissue that is compressing spinal nerves.

The presence of these symptoms, especially when severe or progressively worsening, is often a key sign that the patient may require advanced treatment, such as Endoscopic Spine Surgery, to decompress the affected nerve(s).

• Persistent Back or Neck Pain: This is the primary symptom, which is often chronic. If the compression is in the lower spine (lumbar), it causes back pain; if it's in the neck (cervical), it causes neck pain. This pain may be dull, aching, or sharp, and does not improve with rest and basic medication.
• Numbness or Tingling in Arms or Legs: Known as paresthesia or radiculopathy, this "pins and needles" sensation occurs when the compressed spinal nerve is unable to transmit signals normally to the extremities. Lumbar nerve compression causes symptoms in the legs/feet, while cervical compression affects the arms/hands.
• Muscle Weakness and Mobility Issues: Prolonged or severe nerve compression can damage the nerve's ability to signal muscles. This results in weakness in the corresponding limbs (difficulty gripping or lifting the foot, known as "foot drop"), leading to mobility issues and a compromised quality of life.
• Difficulty Standing or Walking: This is common, especially with lumbar spinal stenosis. Pressure on the nerves (often in the lower back) can cause pain or cramping in the legs when standing or walking (neurogenic claudication), forcing the person to lean forward or sit down to find relief.

Procedure of Endoscopic Spine Surgery

The procedure starts with the patient receiving anesthesia, which is often local anesthesia with sedation or sometimes general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a small incision near the targeted area of the spine. A series of small tubes called dilatators is inserted to gently move aside the muscle and soft tissues, creating a working channel without cutting through them. A working cannula is then placed over the dilators to keep this pathway open to the spine.

Next, a rigid endoscope— a thin, fiber-optic tube equipped with a high-definition camera and a bright light—is inserted through the cannula. This camera provides a magnified, real-time image of the internal anatomy, such as nerve roots and disc material, to a monitor to guide the surgeon's movements. Specialized micro-instruments—such as forceps, drills, radiofrequency probes, or lasers—are passed through the endoscope or an adjacent port to remove the herniated disc material, bone spurs, or thickened ligaments pressing on the nerves.

The duration of ESS is usually short, often between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on the complexity and specific spinal condition being treated. For anesthesia, ESS is frequently performed under local anesthesia with conscious sedation. This reduces the risks linked to general anesthesia and allows the patient to communicate with the surgeon during the procedure, which helps monitor nerve function in real time. For more extensive or complex cases, general anesthesia may still be used.

Endoscopic Spine Surgery Recovery and Postoperative Care

Considering the minimally invasive nature of Endoscopic Spine Surgery, patients typically experience a brief hospital stay, often just one night or even just an outpatient procedure. This less disruptive approach not only facilitates a quicker recovery but also helps to minimize post-operative discomfort.

Home Recovery Guidelines are essential for a smooth transition back to everyday life. Patients are advised to avoid heavy lifting and excessive bending for at least a few weeks to ensure proper healing. During this time, it's advisable to listen to your body and pace activities to prevent strain.

Engaging in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in recovery. Light walking is usually encouraged soon after the surgery to promote circulation and assist with healing. As the recovery progresses, patients can expect to transition to a structured physical therapy program focused on gradually rebuilding strength, flexibility, and mobility in the spine and surrounding muscles.

The Expected Recovery Timeline for resuming light daily activities is notably swift, often within 1-2 weeks post-surgery. Patients generally feel well enough to return to their routine, but full participation in more strenuous activities, such as heavy lifting or high-impact exercise, usually takes around 4-6 weeks. Following these guidelines can significantly enhance recovery outcomes and overall well-being.

Advantages of Endoscopic Spine Surgery at Artemis Hospitals

Endoscopic Spine Surgery (ESS) has some great benefits due to its less invasive approach compared to traditional open spine surgery. This means less recovery time and less pain for patients, making it a more appealing option for many. Ultimately, patients can get back to their daily lives faster and with fewer complications.

• Smaller Incision and Less Scarring

ESS involves a much smaller incision, typically a quarter-inch (around 0.5 to 1 cm), compared to the multi-inch cuts of open surgery. This is because the surgeon uses a thin, tube-like endoscope. Consequently, the procedure results in a nearly invisible scar instead of a large, visible one, offering a major cosmetic advantage.

• Minimal Blood Loss and Faster Healing

Since ESS uses small incisions and specialized tools that pass between muscles rather than cutting them, there is minimal trauma to surrounding tissues and muscles. This reduced dissection of tissue leads to significantly less blood loss during the operation. Less trauma facilitates the body’s natural repair process, promoting faster healing of the surgical site.

• Reduced Risk of Infection

The small incision size inherently leads to a reduced risk of surgical site infection. Smaller wounds expose less tissue to the external environment, and some endoscopic techniques involve a continuous irrigation flow, which helps keep the surgical field clean. This lower infection rate is a major benefit to patient safety.

• Quick Return to Daily Activities

The combination of minimal blood loss, reduced muscle damage, and less post-operative pain translates directly into a shorter hospital stay (often an outpatient or overnight procedure) and a faster overall recovery. Patients can typically start walking shortly after surgery and return to their regular work and daily activities much sooner than with traditional open surgery.

How Artemis Hospital Excels in Endoscopic Spine Surgery?

Artemis Hospital specializes in Endoscopic Spine Surgery by combining highly skilled specialists with advanced technology to perform minimally invasive procedures. The hospital has a team of experienced neuro and orthopedic spine surgeons proficient in advanced endoscopic techniques like PELD (Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy). The focus is on using a small camera and instruments through tiny incisions, which leads to less tissue damage, minimal blood loss, reduced post-operative pain, and much faster recovery times. This approach often allows procedures to be done under local anesthesia and may result in shorter hospital stays, reinforcing Artemis's reputation for precise, patient-focused, and cutting-edge spine care.

Book an Appointment for Endoscopic Spine Surgery at Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon

Experience advanced, minimally invasive spine care at Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon. Our expert team of spine surgeons specializes in endoscopic spine surgery, offering faster recovery, reduced pain, and minimal scarring. Booking your appointment is simple and ensures timely access to world-class treatment in a state-of-the-art facility. Take the first step toward a pain-free life today. Book appointments via the hospital’s website, phone, or WhatsApp for quick and easy scheduling.

Reviewed By Dr. Dheeraj Batheja
Senior Consultant - Ortho Spine Surgery
Artemis Hospitals