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John J. Regan, MD John Regan, MD Phone: 310.881.3730 |
Treatment Options >> Minimally Invasive Surgery Minimally Invasive Surgery
Next to artificial disc surgery, the most beneficial advance in the area of spine surgery over the last five years is new instrumentation that enables some spine surgeons to remove herniated discs, and even install metal instrumentation like screws, through tiny inch-long incisions. This advance - called “minimally invasive spine surgery” - is quickly replacing traditional spine surgery that requires a two to three-inch long incision in the back. For example, some older surgeons at the tail end of their careers may not see the value in having to learn a new skill, especially when it makes a surgery harder for them than if they merely cut a three-inch incision to expose the spine. While a larger incision makes surgery easier because more is exposed, it makes for a more painful recovery, that will take weeks instead of days had they worked through smaller incisions.
Secondly, some health insurance companies don’t provide any higher income for using the new tools and technique that benefit patient recovery. Consequently, some surgeons may take the attitude that if the pay is the same, why bother. Some surgeons who see the obvious benefit for their patients, will invest the time and expense of new technology to provide a faster and easier recovery. Subsequently, it’s largely the responsibility of the patient to ask the doctor if minimally invasive surgery is an option, and if that doctor is trained in the skill.
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2010 John J. Regan, MD. All rights reserved. |
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