Currently, surgical techniques in Traumatology and Orthopedics have evolved to a lesser aggression on the patient’s anatomical structures. In the case of endoscopic lumbar spine surgery, it allows the resolution of different pathologies in a more efficient and less aggressive way, since it consists of being able to apply the same principles of traditional “open” surgery, but with a minimally invasive approach, achieving less aggression to the lumbar area with successful results and with additional benefits.
Dr. Sánchez Mazariegos, a specialist in Traumatology, explains what this treatment consists of, for which pathologies it is recommended and the importance of stem cells in these procedures.
For what pathologies is it indicated?
Spinal endoscopy is mainly indicated for surgery of disc herniation with nerve root compression and surgery of canal stenosis. It consists of the introduction of an optical device connected to a camera through an incision of 1 cm, thus we observe the inside of the spine, allowing direct visualization of the structures and complete access to the herniated disc causing less damage than conventional techniques.
What are the advantages of this procedure?
Performing this procedure ahead of conventional surgery has a number of advantages, since the incision to be made is much smaller and causes less damage to the tissues. It also involves less scar formation, fewer surgical complications, such as bleeding and infections, and less pain after the procedure. His technique also reduces the hospital stay and ends up having a better and faster recovery, which means being able to return to work or to recover a normal life earlier.
In most cases, patients are discharged from the hospital after 24 hours and are able to lead a practically normal life, initially avoiding exertion. With this endoscopic surgery, it is possible to have better control of pain, which is usually minimal, and the possible complications of this type of surgery are reduced, since the surgery makes it possible to end the pain, dispense with medication, recover mobility and improve the patients’ state of mind.
What role do stem cells play in the process?
At present, it should be noted that the application of stem cells in this process and regenerative medicine research focuses on therapy based on techniques using mesenchymal stem cells obtained from adipose tissue. Their anti-inflammatory capacity offers great potential for repairing the affected tissue and the necessary capacity for the recovery of degenerative discopathies, which translates into the elimination of pain, as demonstrated by numerous studies carried out in recent times.