While there was a time that general population considered spine surgery as unsafe, thanks to technological advances in medical field that this is now considered a Myth in the past. Enlisting few of such tools that are now easily available for surgeons to ensure Safe Spine Surgery.
- Microscopes
Microscopes are considered a Boon for spine surgeons. Not only do they provide adequate illumination, they also provide high magnification to operate with extreme precision and safety. It is because of microscopes that Minimally invasive Spine Surgery through ‘Key Hole’ incisions is now possible.
- Neuro-Monitoring
Just like ECG picks up electrical activity of the heart, neuro monitoring picks up electrical activity of nerves of the body. Thus, any uneventful nerve handling during surgery can be known and damage can be prevented. Spine surgeons might recommend this modality in cases where risk of neural damage is high like deformity correction surgeries.
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Since Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery is done through narrow planes without much muscle and soft tissue disruption- they have the benefits of less collateral damage, less pain, early rehabilitation, less infection and less complication rates.
- Navigation
Just like GPS navigation gives real-time feedback of your present position, destination and the most effective path to reach it, intra operative navigation enables the surgeon with real time feedback of all instruments and lets him choose the safest trajectory possible.
- Robotics
While Robotic surgery is still in nascent stage and present only in few centres across the world, early reports about its safety and accuracy looks promising.