Minimally invasive endoscopic techniques for lumbar disc herniation and lumbar spinal stenosis

The healing process of various diseases and traumas should be based on a series of biological and physiological reactions of the human body. In spine (neck, shoulder, lumbar and leg pain) surgery, I have always adhered to the philosophy of seeking to treat disease through the smallest possible damage to the body (organism), minimal tissue interference directly to the lesion, and maximizing the body’s own innate potential to heal disease in favor of recovery to an optimal functional state. The concept of treatment has also evolved from complete and radical treatment in the past to the direction of step, limitation and minimally invasive. Endoscopic technology is currently the latest international achievement in minimally invasive spine. This technology combines advanced technology and clinical perfection, providing patients with a treatment method that is less invasive, shorter in duration, safe and reliable. Under the surveillance of the endoscope, the nucleus pulposus of the herniated disc is directly removed with delicate instruments to release the nerve compression, thus achieving the purpose of treatment. With the accumulation of endoscopic clinical experience, improvement of surgical skills and continuous improvement of minimally invasive instruments, the minimally invasive endoscopic technique can now treat not only lumbar disc herniation but also lateral saphenous fossa stenosis, and additionally treat moderate and severe lumbar spinal canal stenosis by unilateral access to bilateral nerve root and dural decompression in the spinal canal. Since the entire lumbar spinal canal is its main operating area, its indications are wide: almost all procedures suitable for conventional incision can be replaced by endoscopic techniques. It has a broad application prospect, achieving satisfactory clinical results at minimal cost, bringing a real gospel for the majority of middle-aged and elderly patients to recover their health, maintain their health, and enjoy a comfortable and pleasant daily life. Minimally invasive endoscopic technique: Minimally invasive endoscopic surgery involves the insertion of a 1.6 cm diameter working tube around the paravertebral muscle. Due to the minimally invasive technique, the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments and most of the superior and inferior articular processes and the unbroken fibrous ring and posterior longitudinal ligaments are preserved without stripping the paravertebral muscle, maintaining the stability of the spine. Advantages of the minimally invasive endoscopic technique: The minimally invasive endoscopic technique is accomplished by making only a 1.6-cm-long incision; it results in less trauma, less bleeding, mild postoperative pain, and facilitates postoperative recovery, usually by walking on the ground the first day after surgery and being discharged from the hospital 3-5 days after surgery. Almost all procedures suitable for conventional incision can be replaced by endoscopic techniques. ●Surgical time is about 1 hour; ●No sutures are required and no stitches need to be removed. ●High efficacy satisfaction: less postoperative pain, self-care of urine and stool, and easy care; ●You can walk on the ground on the 1st day after surgery; ●You can be discharged from the hospital in 3-5 days after surgery, shortening the time to return to work; ●The unique 5-stage dilated canal expansion technique is used to establish the surgical channel from the muscle gap without stripping the paravertebral muscles and biting off a large number of vertebral plates, preserving the biomechanical structure of the spine and not affecting the stability of the spine; ● High safety performance: the surgery is performed through the display screen and magnifies the surgical field 64 times, the nerves and blood vessels are clearly visible; ● Complete treatment is not easy to recur: it can remove the nucleus pulposus cleanly and completely and perform the release of nerve roots, which is not easy to recur after cure.