The Great Revolution in the Small Pinhole - Full Visualization Spinal Endoscopy Technology

Recently, Dr. Cong Yu, Deputy Chief Physician of the Orthopedics Department at the Eastern Theater Command General Hospital, performed a "fully visualized spinal endoscopic surgery" for Mr. Zong. The extremely minimally invasive surgery enabled Mr. Zong, who suffered from lumbar spine diseases, to recover quickly and return to work shortly after the surgery.

I never expected the surgical effect to be so good. I could feel the ease of relieving nerve compression during the surgery, "said Mr. Zong, 56, happily.  

It is reported that Mr. Zong had symptoms of lower back and leg pain 5 years ago. After visiting renowned doctors in various places, experts unanimously recommended surgical treatment for him. Due to fear of surgery, Mr. Zong's condition has been delayed time and time again. Three months ago, his lower back pain worsened again, accompanied by unbearable pain in his left lower limb. He was unable to walk and could not sleep in pain even when lying down, which was unbearable. He sought medical treatment at multiple hospitals again, hoping for minimally invasive treatment of his discomfort symptoms. Finally, he came to the spinal surgery specialist clinic of Dr. Congyu, an orthopedic specialist at the Eastern Theater Command General Hospital for treatment. After receiving the patient, Dr. Cong Yu analyzed Mr. Zong's symptoms, signs, and imaging data, and made a diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation with spinal stenosis. Based on Mr. Zong's condition and his willingness for surgical treatment, he was admitted to Orthopedics District 23.

After admission, a physical examination revealed that Mr. Zong had tenderness in the paraspinal area from L5 to S1, with significant limitations in lumbar range of motion and lower limb motor function. The preoperative straight leg elevation test was only 20 °, and the muscle strength of his left toe was also affected.

Regarding Mr. Zong's condition, Director Cong Yu analyzed that the prominent nucleus pulposus combined with the proliferation of osteophyte compresses the nerves in the spinal canal, resulting in symptoms such as lower back and leg pain, numbness, and decreased lower limb strength. Only by relieving the nerve compression can we prevent further aggravation of nerve damage and provide conditions for nerve function recovery. If traditional surgical methods are used, it is necessary to remove the paraspinal muscles, and the surgical incision is large, with excessive intraoperative bleeding and a long recovery time after surgery.

After sufficient communication and preoperative preparation, Dr. Cong Yu successfully completed the surgery under local anesthesia using the "Full Visualization Spinal Endoscopy Technology (I See)". During the surgery, Mr. Zong could clearly experience the pain relief brought by the removal of the protruding nucleus pulposus. The surgery time was short, the incision was only 7 millimeters, and there was no drainage after the surgery. He was able to move around on the second day after the surgery, which can be described as "a small pinhole solving a big problem".

Minimally invasive treatment of spinal degenerative diseases in the orthopedics department of the Eastern Theater Command General Hospital is a professional feature. Minimally invasive techniques such as intervertebral foramen endoscopy, UBE, and MisTLIF have been routinely carried out, combined with specific assessments of the patient's condition, to provide more options for surgical treatment. We will also continue to use minimally invasive technology to provide higher quality, more advanced, and more efficient medical services to the general public.

Regarding the Full Visualization Spinal Endoscopy Technology (I See Technology)

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) refers to the technology and methods of diagnosing and treating spinal diseases through non-traditional surgical approaches and using special surgical instruments, devices, or means. It emerged with the application of the most advanced medical technology, innovative technologies continue to emerge, and minimally invasive techniques are dazzling. There is a powerful tool in MISS' vast arsenal, which is percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD), abbreviated as intervertebral foramen endoscope.

The traditional school of intervertebral foramen endoscopy technology has developed from the concept of intervention, so the process of puncture tube placement and intervertebral foramen shaping relies heavily on X-ray fluoroscopy to clarify spatial position, which is cumbersome and deeply affects patients and surgeons by X-ray radiation.

And I See technology, also known as fully visualized spinal endoscopic technology, allows for direct visualization of intervertebral foramen formation under endoscopy, greatly reducing the number of perspectives and even achieving 1-2 perspectives. The characteristic of this technology is the change in surgical philosophy: using endoscopic surgery as a surgical approach, achieving a good endoscopization of surgical procedures. Abandoning the disadvantage of traditional intervertebral foramen endoscopic intervention surgery requiring repeated fluoroscopy.

Overall, the advantages of fully visualized spinal endoscopic technology (I See technology) are as follows:

1. Significantly reducing X-ray fluoroscopy during surgery, shortening surgical time, improving surgical safety, and protecting patients and surgeons;

2. Local anesthesia can be used, which is simple, with a surgical incision of less than 1 centimeter and minimal bleeding. It is very minimally invasive and does not require drainage after surgery. On the second day after surgery, the patient can walk and be discharged, shortening the hospital stay and allowing the patient to return to life and work faster;

3. Preserved the lumbar spine motion segments; Not damaging the lumbar facet joints, avoiding postoperative instability of the corresponding surgical segments;

4. This technology provides treatment opportunities for many patients who cannot tolerate open surgery or general anesthesia (elderly patients, those with serious underlying diseases);

5. Low price, low cost, greatly saving medical insurance expenses.