What is ultrasound-guided surgery?
Ultrasound-guided surgery is an innovative type of surgery that consists of operating without opening the skin, so that the surgeon sees what he is doing under the skin through the ultrasound machine. The use of this external device makes it possible to quickly and thoroughly locate the damaged area in order to treat the lesion without opening the skin.
With specific instruments, the specialist passes under the skin and tissues, seeing his instruments at all times so as not to damage anything. In this way, the operation can be performed without opening, with a minimal incision of one or two millimeters. By means of this surgery, it is possible to intervene in extremities without the need for stitches, thus ensuring a much faster recovery.
In this way, problems can be solved that were previously treated with conventional surgery, which involved a more painful and slower recovery process.
Why is it performed?
Ultrasound-guided surgery is used in order to reduce pain and bleeding, thus ensuring a much faster recovery. This type of surgery is used to treat many injuries and problems such as the following, among many others:
- Entrapment of the median nerve in the wrist.
- Plantar fasciitis
- Stiff fingers
- Knee or Achilles tendinopathies
- Morton’s neuroma
- Runner’s or jumper’s syndrome
- Hips in protrusions
- Tennis elbow
What does it consist of?
It is a surgical procedure performed with incisions of one or two millimeters, under local anesthesia, thus avoiding the development of ischemia.
It is a simple procedure, the duration of which depends on the indication, although it usually lasts between 5 minutes and 1 hour and a half.
Unlike conventional surgery, in ultrasound-guided surgery there is hardly any bleeding, the healing is very fast and generally, they are outpatient procedures that ensure a quick recovery. For this reason, it is not necessary for the patient to stay in the hospital, but he can return to his normal life after the operation.
With this technique, any patient can be operated on, even if contraindicated in conventional open techniques.
Preparation for ultrasound-guided surgery
Before undergoing ultrasound-guided surgery, the patient must follow certain steps prior to the operation. This preparation consists of a blood test and a coagulation test. This last analysis is performed to check that the patient has a good coagulation, thus checking the risk of bleeding.
In the days prior to surgery, anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin should not be taken. On the other hand, if the patient is taking anticoagulants, he/she should inform the doctor in charge.
On the day of surgery, the patient should not apply creams. It is important to come with clean skin, since creams can alter the ultrasound images.
Care after surgery
Ultrasound-guided surgery has a satisfactory recovery. The same day of the intervention, the patient can return to daily life, although there may be minor discomfort that can be relieved with painkillers. For this reason, no special care should be taken as it is not an invasive test.