An endoscopic surgical approach
permits an operation with the same goal as in open surgery, to be
carrried out with a much less invasive access to the operating site.
Smaller incisions and less tissue trauma means, in addition to the
cosmetic benefits, less pain, shorter hospital stays and faster healing
and mobilization for the patient.
In spine surgery there is still
extensive morbidity connected with the soft-tissue dissection which is
required to obtain adequate access to the spine. Endoscopic
micro-discectomy approaches such as one with the GEISTER
SpineGate™-system can help to reduce this morbidity significantly.
Endoscopic techniques are likely expected to become the standard of
care in Spine surgery too, just as they have in other fields of
surgery, once more randomized, prospective studies to validate these
new techniques are available.
One-step before endoscopy,
GEISTER also offers a wide range of retractors, rongeurs and
micro-instruments for mini-discectomy, an operation in which the
mechanically irritated nerve root is relieved by removing the ruptured
portion of the disc and bone spurs in order to decompress the spinal
nerve root. For this procedure usually a surgical microscope is used
for better visualization. The incision is only a few centimeters long,
just enough to get to the natural bone window in the affected region
and expand it if needed. In the deeper area the herniated disc and the
affected nerve root are being exposed. With special instruments, the
herniated disc and any existing loose fragments can be grasped safely
and removed. GEISTER provides instruments for both cervical as well as
the lumbar operations.
