L

aser spine surgery is a new surgical technique that allows pathologies of the back to be operated through minimally invasive procedures.

It consists of making an incision of less than 2 millimetres that allows the spinal canal to be explored. For this, an endoscopic camera with a channelled optical mechanism connected to a high-definition television screen is used.

This system manages to introduce light and obtain a vision with a high-resolution image of the damaged areas of the spine, visualizing the intervertebral disc and the nerve roots with millimetre sharpness.

Through the optical channel, the different forceps and surgical instruments necessary for the treatment of different pathologies are used.

What are the advantages of laser spine surgery for the patient?
-It is a minimally invasive surgery that only requires a small 2-millimetre incision without scarring.

-It allows to enlarge and magnify the field of work.
-Relief from sciatic and lower back pain is immediate.
-The risk of injury, bleeding and aggression to the muscles is lower, so it reduces postoperative risks.
-Hospitalization is not required and is performed using local anaesthesia.
-Recovery time is reduced, allowing faster incorporation into the patient’s normal and work activity. The return to normal life occurs 24 hours after the intervention and, it is possible, to carry out a rehabilitation-only 15 days after the intervention.
-Postoperative drug intake decreases and even disappears in some cases.

In what pathologies is laser surgery indicated?
Herniated discs: It is the displacement of the soft centre of the intervertebral disc towards the outside due to rupture of the fibrous ring, being able to press on a nerve root or the medullary canal. Normally, herniated discs are located in the lumbar region, with the cervical discs (neck) being the second most affected area.

Lumbar canal stenosis: It is one of the ailments associated with age that normally appears from the age of 60 as people age. It is produced by irritation of the nerve roots that run through the spinal canal when, due to the degeneration of the discs and joints of the spine, the outlet of the nerves to the legs or back is narrowed. This narrowing is called stenosis.