LA JOLLA, Calif., Jan. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For a majority of people who require spine surgery, a minimally invasive approach is more effective and safer than traditional approaches to surgery, says William Taylor, M.D., a neurosurgeon who specializes in evaluation and treatment of spinal disorders, performing more than 1,000 minimally invasive spine procedures over the past two decades.
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Dr. Taylor answers common questions about minimally invasive spine surgery.
Q: What is minimally invasive spine surgery?
A: The general definition is surgery that reduces the disruption of normal tissue associated with a standard surgery by utilizing innovative techniques and specialized instruments to achieve improved outcomes.
Q: What happens during minimally invasive spine surgery?
A: Surgeon use specialized equipment to retract and visualize the patient's anatomy and use alternative approaches and techniques to access the spine.
Q: What are the benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery?
A: With traditional spine surgery, a surgeon will make an incision through the skin, tissues and surrounding structures. Procedures are lengthy, creating a higher risk for complications and infections due to anesthesia and exposure of the spine.
With minimally invasive spine surgery, hospital stays are decreased; complications are reduced.
Q: What are the risks of minimally invasive spine surgery compared to traditional surgery?
A: Minimally invasive surgery has a significantly decreased risk of infection and complications. Outcomes are similar or improved.
Minimally invasive spine surgery is not just for small procedures. It is possible to operate on patients with significant spinal deformity with this approach generating better recovery and outcomes.
Q: How do I know if I'm a candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery?
A: Anyone that requires spine surgery is a candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery. There is almost no procedure performed using traditional techniques that cannot be done thru smaller incisions with fewer complications.
Q: I've never heard of minimally invasive spine surgery before. Is it experimental?
A: No. If you have heard it referred to as experimental, it was likely from insurance companies and physicians not knowing about the latest techniques. Minimally invasive spine surgery has been around for years, and is part of the advancement of surgery in all fields.
To learn more about Dr. William Taylor and minimally invasive spine surgery, visit http://neurosurgery.ucsd.edu/william-taylor-md/
Media Contact: Media Contact:
Lisa Morbete
[email protected]
310-575-1170
SOURCE Dr. William R. Taylor, Department of Neurosurgery, UCSD
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