An Inside Look at Robotic Spine Surgery

The primary goal of spine surgery has always been to help the patient realize a successful and sustainable outcome with minimal complications. However, in the last fifteen to twenty years when technology in the medical field has taken off, robotic spine surgery has allowed for more specific goals and objectives with greater efficacy.

Some of the most goals behind robotic spine surgery include: allowing the patient to return to as normal a life as possible after surgery; to get them to that point as quickly as possible; and to minimize the amount of trauma done to the body during the surgery. If you think you might be a good candidate for robotic spine surgery, then read on to learn more.

Advantages of Robotic Spine Surgery

As a form of minimally invasive surgery (or MIS,) robotic spine surgery has many benefits. There is improved safety when using a robot guided by the CT or MRI scans of the patient. The robot knows where to, and where not to, go. This is true for both simple and complex surgeries so accuracy rates have risen dramatically when it comes to MIS spine surgeries, resulting in fewer instances of patients having to have their spinal surgery re-done within a few years.

Also, there is a minimized use of radiation, as the CT or MRI scans only have to be done once prior to the surgery, instead of having to have the patient under constant radiation in the operating room to see where the instruments are in the spine as most robotic devices are also equipped with cameras.

For more insight regarding the advantages of robotic spine surgery, see the video below of Mazor's Spine Assist technology:

 

Applications for Robotic Spinal Surgery

There are many types of spinal problems that robotic spinal surgery can be used for, including: degenerative spinal conditions, spine tumors, spinal deformities, and more. If there is a slipped disc or instability in an area of the back, the robotic spine surgeon may perform a fusion of two or more vertebrae. Before robotic spine surgery, this would include an incision to open up the back long enough to expose all vertebrae involved in the fusion.

Now, it can all be done with the robotic device using MIS. Because of this, the recovery time for this type of surgery has drastically reduced and patients are getting on with their lives faster than ever.

A study done recently looked at over 600 surgeries where nearly half were considered MIS. Over 3,200 implants were placed during these surgeries and the overall accuracy rating was over 98%. The use of robotic spine surgery compared to open surgery on the spine has led one study to determine that implant accuracy has improved by at least 70%, the radiation that patients get with each surgery has been reduced by over 50% and the amount of time that each patient stays in the hospital after surgery has been reduced by over 25%.

There are many types and designs of robotic spine surgery devices and each one is proprietary to the manufacturer and the surgeon that uses each one will need training on how to use them. Chances are that a spine surgeon will have a preferred robotic spine surgery unit that he prefers to use so that he or she is comfortable with it every time in the operating room.

The Science & Technology Behind Minimally-Invasive Spine Surgery

Minimally-invasive spine surgery is a type of surgery that minimizes damages of soft tissue such as muscles. Minimally-invasive spine surgery is always less risky and less invasive option when compared to the traditional open spinal surgery.

Shown here is Dr. Joshua Rovner, a reputable New Jersey
spine surgeon and advocate of minimally-invasive spine surgery.

In most cases, minimally-invasive spine surgery often uses a thin, lighted tube whenever one put through a small incision or cut during a surgery. In the medical industry today, spinal surgeons use it when finding problems like cysts, adhesions, fibroids and severe infections.

Many spine and orthopedic surgeons often used advanced procedure of minimally-invasive spine surgery that can be performed exclusively via one single entry point – that means using only one single small incision. In some cases, you can call it as Single Site Laparoscopy. Minimally-invasive spine surgery always has many advantages over open traditional procedures that has made it one of the most recommended surgery techniques that are quickly becoming adopted by the top orthopedic spine surgeons, like Dr. Joshua Rovner of New Jersey (shown in the image above).

The Primary Goals Behind Minimally-Invasive Spine Surgery?

Here are the two main goals of minimally-invasive spine surgery:

• Decompression - Minimally-invasive spine surgery is used when taking pressure off (or when decompressing) your nerve roots or spinal cord during surgery. The pressure can sometimes cause severe pain and pinched nerves. The goal of minimally-invasive spine surgery procedure is always to relieve the pressure at the same time reducing pain of a patient during surgery.
• Stabilization - In some cases, mobile segment can be one source of abnormal movement or pains in the body after a surgery. When this does happens, surgery stabilization may be needed. Minimally-invasive spine surgery is typically a good fusion, which is done with more instrumentation. Orthopedic surgeons often use it these cases to reduce the severe pain and tissues damage.

Top 3 Minimally-Invasive Spine Surgery Techniques

The three main minimally-invasive spine surgery techniques include the following:

1. Mini-Open Spine Surgery

Mini-open spine surgery is less similar to the traditional open procedure and has fewer risks, like less loss of blood during and after surgery and less infection risks since incision is smaller. Many advances in visualization in medical field today have made possible to have mini-open surgical procedures.

2. Tubular Spine Surgery

Tubular spine surgery involves use of a tubular retractor that acts as a tunnel, which passes through muscles of the back to access spine. Minimally-invasive spine surgery using a tubular retractor is usually called "muscle-splitting" approach. When you compare it to the open spine surgery, it has less blood loss and muscle damage when using this tubular retractor.

3. Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Endoscopic spine surgery uses a very tiny video camera known as an endoscope—that is much smaller compared to a dime—when passing through very small surgical incisions (often less than 1.5 cm) as a way to access a spine. Many neurological surgeons commonly refer to the procedure as "keyhole surgery" since endoscope will always guide surgeon by showing them a view of internal body on the screens in an operating room.


These three types of minimally-invasive spine surgery can be used in various spine surgeries, such as foraminotomy, discectomy, and laminectomy and a laminotomy. Sometimes a orthopedic surgeon can use fluoroscope during minimally-invasive spine surgery since fluoroscopes have X-rays that can guide them during the procedure.

In conclusion, the above is a review of the science and technology behind minimally-invasive spine surgery that patients should know.

How Laser Therapy Works to Reduce Pain & Accelerate Healing

Laser therapy has become an innovative medical treatment that utilizes a special kind of laser light spectrum to reduce pain and accelerate healing. These lasers, which are considered class IV cold lasers in most health and medical settings, use a light that is tuned to very specific wavelengths, allowing it to be safe and effective at stimulating cellular regeneration.

Shown here is a chiropractor administering laser therapy on a
patient's neck. Image credit: chiromik.com

Although utilized in Europe from the early 1970s, laser treatment was verified and cleared by the FDA in the year 2005. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) suggests that lasers can be used to treat the very early stages of cancers, including the following conditions:

• Penile cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Vulvar cancer
• Vaginal cancer
• Non-small cell lung cancer
• Basal cell skin cancer

When the laser therapy is used in cancer treatment, it is usually combined with other treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation.

Therapeutic Class IV "K-Laser"

Among the most popular systems used among chiropractors, surgeons, and related health and medical professionals is the K-Laser. The K-Laser uses class iv therapeutic lasers that render near-infrared wavelengths of laser light. These wavelengths are useful in inducing a therapeutic effect alongside photochemical reaction to alleviate pain. It encompasses a couple of physiological effects, which include reduced inflammation, increased circulation, enhanced tissue healing and overall pain reduction.

How K-Laser Therapy Works

The Class IV K-Laser therapy uses a process known as photobiostimulation in treating a variety of conditions. Increased amounts of Adenosine Tri-phosphate are typically released by focusing deep-penetrating photonic energy on the tissue. The Adenosine Triphosphate, simply abbreviated as ATP, is a useful substance that serves to produce cellular energy.


The cellular or soft tissues in the body include the muscles, joint capsules, ligaments, intra-articular surfaces and vertebral discs. ATP jumpstarts a broad chain of intense healing effects in soft tissues, resulting in the following:

• Improved circulation
• Increased cellular function
• Reduced stiffness, muscle spasms, swelling and pain
• Reduced inflammation
• Enhanced transportation of nutrients throughout each cell membrane
• Influx of nutrients, water and oxygen to the damaged parts of the body

This laser comprises pulse mode that is seamlessly designed to deliver the laser energy to deepest issues in the body. It is proactive in the delivery of laser energy to tissues situated deep in the body without having to warm the superficial tissues.

Additionally, it consists of both modulating and continuous frequencies that enhance pain control and overall healing. It highlights a higher power that allows it to accomplish an incredible therapeutic dosage, resulting in shorter treatment times. It delivers safe and consistent treatment outcomes.

Professionals That Use Class IV K-Laser Therapy

As mentioned earlier, this laser was cleared and approved by FDA in 2005. Since then, it has turned out to be a standard of care for musculoskeletal injuries. Dozens of professional clinicians and chiropractors worldwide utilize this kind of laser therapy in their treatment programs, thanks to the growing body of literature that endorses its efficacy.

Class IV K-Laser proves to be effective when it comes to reducing inflammation as well as accelerating body recovery. The technology is endorsed by professional organizations like IASP, WHO, and APTA. It is powerful.

Overall, Class IV K-Laser is effective in terms of creating an optimal condition for the injured area of the body to heal. The laser energy accelerates circulation, consequently drawing oxygen, water and nutrients to all the damaged parts of the body. This treatment has proven worthwhile in reducing swelling, inflammation, stiffness, spasms and other pains. It relieves pain with the utmost ease.