Laser Spine SurgeryOf course, laser surgery is still surgery and should never be taken lightly. In fact, many patients continue to suffer many of the same
back surgery complications
after undergoing a laser procedure as they would after any other type of operative intervention. Never let any doctor downplay the seriousness of an operation just because it is performed using laser technology. Types of Laser Spine SurgeryThe distinct advantage of laser surgeries is that they can be completed with pinpoint accuracy, doing as little damage as possible to healthy tissues. Lasers can be utilized through the smallest of incisions, guaranteeing the patient of a minimally invasive operation. There are laser back surgery procedures available to treat a wide range of suspected causative conditions including:
Herniated disc
laser surgerySpinal stenosis laser surgery Coccyx pain laser surgery General lumbar laser surgery General cervical laser surgery General thoracic laser surgery Laser Back Surgery FactsLaser procedures have the distinct advantage of faster healing in many cases, as well as a lessened chance for cross contamination during the operation. However, there are still many risks and complications inherent to any back surgery including:
Risk of infection Risk of nerve damage Risk of spinal fluid leak Risk of anesthesia Failed back surgery syndrome Laser surgeries are replacing many traditional open techniques for treating a great number of suspected causes of back pain. Many surgery centers deal almost exclusively in laser-based operations, allowing surgeons to develop extreme levels of proficiency with these high tech tools. I have spoken to and interviewed many spinal surgeons who now swear by laser instruments and say they could never go back to utilizing traditional surgical implements. Laser Spine Surgery AdviceMany orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons are using specialized marketing techniques to lull patients into a false sense of calm over laser surgery. Some even liken it to LASIK or other minor surgical procedures. This is simply an outright lie. Surgery is surgery, regardless of the tools utilized. When any implement is used to operate on the spine or any of its structures, there is always the potential for catastrophic consequences. Do not be fooled into thinking...“It is JUST laser surgery.” That being said, I like laser based procedures far more than any full open intervention, since damage to healthy tissues is minimized and recovery time is considerably lessened. It always pays to receive several professional surgical opinions before even thinking about actually undergoing back surgery. If you are considering using a laser technique, seek out the best and most experienced surgeon who will use the least invasive methods possible. Laser Spine Surgery to Back Pain 3/3/10 Revised 2/3/12 |
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