175 North Medical Drive East
Salt Lake City, Utah 84132
Tel: 801-585-7575
University of Utah
Open spine surgery vs. minimally invasive surgery
Open surgery requires your surgeon to move your muscles out of the way to see your spine. During endoscopic surgery, your surgeon uses an endoscope with a camera at the tip that allows them to see your spine without removing any of your muscles. This technique reduces your risk of muscle injury and trauma during surgery.
An endoscopic spine surgeon washes out your incision using a continuous flow of IV-fluid during the procedure. This technique keeps circulating air out of your incision to minimize blood loss and infections.
Call 801-585-7575 to schedule an evaluation
Best candidates for endoscopic spine surgery
Patients with simple spine problems like spinal stenosis or a herniated disc are the best candidates for endoscopic spine surgery. Scoliosis and other more complex spine conditions often require other types of surgery; however, we can treat some complex cases of spinal disease with endoscopic spine surgery on a case-by-case basis.
We will need you to undergo the following imaging tests and exams to ensure that endoscopic spine surgery is the best treatment for you:
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MRI and/or CT scans of your spine
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Spine X-rays that show movement
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A physical exam to ensure you're not a high risk for complications
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Answer detailed questionnaires and complete pain drawings
You may also need to undergo physical therapy and spinal injections before surgery to comply with your health insurance requirements and to reduce risks of unnecessary surgery.
Benefits of endoscopic spine surgery:
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Smaller incision
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Less muscle trauma
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Less blood loss
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Less infection risk
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Shorter hospital stay
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Quicker recovery time
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Less reliance on pain medication
Risks of endoscopic spine surgery:
Studies show that complications occur less in endoscopic surgery than in open surgery; however, the risks of endoscopic spine surgery are similar to more traditional spinal procedures:
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Injury to the nerve root
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Leaking of spinal fluid (may cause headaches)
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Blood clots
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Allergic reactions or complications from anesthesia
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Infection
What to expect
During the procedure, your spine surgeon uses an endoscope to access your spine. Your surgeon inserts the endoscope through a small surgical cut in your skin. The incision is 7-10 mm, which is about the width of the fingernail on your pinky. The camera on the endoscope allows your surgeon to see your spine from several angles. This helps our surgeons operate around tight corners and spaces, which can't be done with traditional open surgery. Depending on your condition, your surgeon may remove the herniate portion of your spinal disc or take pressure off of your nerves without disrupting the surrounding tissues.
Most endoscopic spine surgeries do not require an overnight hospital stay. More than 90% of our patients sleep in their own bed the night after surgery.
How to prepare for surgery
If you are scheduled for endoscopic spine surgery, our care team will guide you in preparing for the procedure. An anesthesiologist will ask you questions to evaluate the right amount of anesthesia you'll need during surgery. Your care team may also order blood work or other preoperative tests depending on any underlying health conditions you may have. You may also need approval from your other providers before moving forward with endoscopic spine surgery.
To prepare for surgery you must:
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Maintain a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet
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Minimize the use of narcotics (painkillers)
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Work with your provider on changes to blood thinners or blood pressure medication
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Avoid eating after midnight the day before surgery
Recovery
Patients tend to recover more quickly after endoscopic spine surgery compared with more invasive procedures.
After surgery, you must:
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Avoid showering until the next day
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Avoid baths for a month (soaking your incision in water may increase your risk of infection)
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Avoid lifting heavy objects for a month
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Use ice, heat, or anti-inflammatory medicine for mild pain relief
In rare cases, your surgeon may temporarily prescribe narcotic pain medication.
Signs of healing
During your recovery, you may experience the return of sensation as previously numb areas begin to normalize, muscle twitching, restless legs. These symptoms are a normal part of your recovery and not a cause for concern. If you experience intense pain at the incision site or develop fever and chills, contact our team immediately.
Follow-up care
You will have a follow-up appointment with your spine provider six weeks after surgery. We may schedule you for another follow-up up to six months after your surgery, depending on where you are in your recovery progress. Physical therapy can improve the results of your surgery.
Success Rate
Endoscopic spine surgery has a high success rate. More than 90% of our patients report less pain and better mobility after surgery. Over time, you will be able to resume some activities you once had to avoid because of your spinal condition.
Why choose University of Utah Neurosurgery Spine Group?
We are the destination for complex spine patients in the Mountain West. Our spine surgeons perform a high volume of procedures each year, and are both experienced and successful. We also publish our research findings for other physicians and surgeons to learn.
With the University of Utah Health Neurosurgery Spine Group, you will receive care from an experienced team of experts who are national leaders in spine surgery and train residents, fellows, and other physicians. Mark Mahan, MD, was Utah's first spine surgeon to perform endoscopic spine surgery.