Weight bearing vertebrae, built for both power and flexibility are spread between the rib cage and the pelvis & are known as lumbar vertebrae. The lumbar region, more commonly known as lower back consists of 5 vertebrae labeled from L1 - L5. Lower back region contains large muscles that support the back and allow movement in the trunk region of the body. These muscles can at times spasm or get strained & which is a common cause of lower back pain. The last two vertebrae carry the most weight and have the most movement making this area prone to injury. These vertebrae are filled with the inter-vertebral disc to cushion in between. Disc in the lumbar region are most likely to get herniated or degenerate causing pain in the lower back region which also sometimes extends in legs and feet.
Minimally Invasive Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery
Minimally invasive lumbar spinal fusion surgery slightly differs with the traditional lumbar spinal fusion as it uses the technique of smaller incisions and minimum damage to the surrounding tissues during surgery. This surgery incorporates four small incisions through the abdomen each of the size ½ inches. A small fiber optic viewing camera is used to guide through the incisions at the time of surgery. Fusion with the screw and rods can be performed through the back using several 1 - 2 inch incisions. Large dilators are used to separate the muscles apart. Once the dilators create the space between the muscles, the screw and rods can be placed through the dilator tubes. The reason which makes this surgery most trending is that this surgery can be performed through patient’s side. The surgeon can make planned incisions directly over the fusion site. Specialized equipments can be used through the dilator tube to remove the damaged inter-vertebral disc or the spinal tumor and replace it with bone graft or metal or plastic spacer.
Advantages of Minimally Invasive Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery
Basic advantage which brings limelight to minimally invasive lumbar spinal fusion surgery is that this technique causes lesser damage to surrounding tissues. There is no cutting and tearing of healthy muscles involved as it happens in traditional spinal fusion surgery which eventually causes extensive pain. Since these incisions are small, the pain caused due to surgery is less and so is the loss of blood. Minimally invasive techniques can more gently spread muscles apart and provide easy access to spine. Since the loss of blood is also less during the surgery, there is reduced or no requirement of blood transfusion. Moreover, patients undergoing the minimally invasive lumbar spinal fusion surgery can expect shorter stays at the hospital along with faster recovery.
Disadvantages of Minimally Invasive Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery
Main disadvantage is it needs additional time as compared to traditional spinal fusion surgery. The next disadvantage is that not every spine surgeon is able to perform this technique. So it may happen that in some parts of this world people will not be able to use this technique. Another factor adding to disadvantages is that insurance companies still consider this procedure to be investigational surgery and hence do not provide insurance coverage for it.
Effectiveness of Minimally Invasive Lumbar Spinal Fusion (MILSF)
Results of minimally invasive procedures through the abdomen have been not as good as the minimally invasive procedure through the back. Posterior minimally invasive procedure has proved to be much more promising allowing spine surgeons to perform fusion surgery in lesser time with similar fusion rates, less injury and speeding recovery.
Moreover spinal fusion surgery cost is remarkably low in India making it affordable for people seeking spinal fusion surgery. Approximate cost of this procedure when compared to $85,000 in USA is considerably low accounting for merely $6,300 in India. All these factors make minimally invasive lumbar spinal fusion surgery in India an outstanding experience.
Moreover spinal fusion surgery cost is remarkably low in India making it affordable for people seeking spinal fusion surgery. Approximate cost of this procedure when compared to $85,000 in USA is considerably low accounting for merely $6,300 in India. All these factors make minimally invasive lumbar spinal fusion surgery in India an outstanding experience.
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