Patients should know that:
Cutting causes damage! Cutting causes bleeding! Bleeding causes scarring!
Scarring is permanent! Scarring near nerves affects nerves!
At the Back Institute, we perform the best non-traumatic procedures available using the most advanced tools and equipment. Some of our technology is only available here.
There is no cutting, bleeding or scarring. Patients are left with only a dot opening that is covered with a band aid.
The fundamental approaches for non-traumatic access spinal disc removal were invented here. Since 1986, we have developed a lengthy resume of peer reviewed publications (more than 40 in the non-traumatic access field) and have taught our advanced techniques around the world.
Our surgery center has the highest level of certification, the safest center for Non-Traumatic Surgery anywhere in the world.
Why don’t more surgeons around the country perform Non-Traumatic Discectomy?
SUCCESS RATES
[Individual cases may not fall into this group. An estimate of your probability of success is typically obtainable after the review of your scan.]
Abstract from the AANS/CNS Spine Meeting [Feb 2001]
During the past two and a half years, 25 patients with L5-S1 free fragments underwent outpatient endoscopic discectomies using a small, soft, malleable scope technique, which is not traumatic to the spinal canal contents.
A skin puncture opening (less than 5 mm) is made; under local anesthesia with IV sedation, 1 cm off midline, for paramedian interlaminar access using a 4.2 mm outer cannula, with an inner telescoping fiber-optic working channel plastic endoscope, micro-dissectors and micro-graspers.
The 25 patients ranged in age from 29 to 61, 15 males and 10 females. All had free fragments in the spinal canal at L5-S1 ruptured lateral to the dura. Open microdiscectomy had already been recommended in all cases. All had radicular pain, numbness and/or weakness for at least six weeks consistent with the herniation.
Results (Macnab criteria): 22 excellent (no symptoms, no restriction of activity) 2 good (occasional symptoms), 1 poor (no improvement, required further surgery); for an overall success rate of 96%.
The only adverse effect was that one patient developed a transient, mild, localized hyperpathia, which, however, rapidly resolved. This technique provides the advantage that the actual endoscope itself can be placed directly into the free fragment for optimal visualization and removal, in the most direct, least traumatic approach for reaching and removing free fragments at L5-S1.
Reference
“Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Discectomy and Reconfiguration: A Postero-lateral Approach Into The Spinal Canal” Surgical Neurology. Volume 49, Number 6. pp.588-598 June 1998
In this article written by Dr. Ditsworth: The overall success rate for the 75 lateral presenting or foraminal cases was 95%. The overall success rate of the 110 patients was 91% (excellent or good results are considered successful).
Small Band-Aid
Dot skin opening is so small, only a small bandaid is needed.
- All of this herniated disc material was removed through this tiny “dot” opening (4 mm) with the grasper shown.
- The photo was taken right after the procedure. It shows that the entire opening made in the body is very small.
- The problem has been treated without the trauma of any kind of larger surgery.
Back Institute Surgery Center
is known as a well established, beautiful, exclusive spine center, specializing in proprietary techniques.
- Safest procedures!
- No infections!
- No hospitalizations!
- No surgical trauma!
- No bone removal!
- No laminectomy!
- No laminotomy!
- No bone cut!
- No joint cut!
- No muscle cut!
- No scarring!
- No trauma!
- No damage!