Endoscopic Spinal Surgery

At Brown University Health, the future of medicine is within the smallest, most advanced technology used by our specialists with precision. If you’re struggling with chronic back or neck pain, endoscopic spinal surgery may be the solution with faster recovery and less discomfort than traditional surgery.

What Is Endoscopic Spinal Surgery?

Endoscopic spinal surgery is an ultra-minimally invasive procedure that replaces the traditional types of surgery for chronic back and neck pain. It is an advanced surgical technique designed to treat various spinal conditions with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues. This approach uses a small fiber-optic camera and specialized surgical tools, allowing surgeons to access the spine through tiny, sub-centimeter incisions. The procedure is performed under real-time visualization, enhancing precision and safety.

What Conditions Can Be Treated with Endoscopic Spinal Surgery?

This procedure is often recommended for patients with:

• A herniated disc in the neck (cervical spine) or lower back (lumbar spine)
• Sciatica (pain radiating down one or both legs)
• Spinal nerve compression due to arthritis

Does Endoscopic Spinal Surgery Require Special Training?

Yes, endoscopic spinal surgery requires special training due to its technical complexity and the use of advanced technology. Only a few surgeons nationwide are experienced in this technique. Bryce Basques, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon at The Miriam Hospital’s Spine Center, is one of them and has extensive expertise in advanced spine surgery methods, including endoscopic procedures, robotic spine surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, ultrasonic spine surgery, outpatient spine surgery, and disc replacement.

What Are the Benefits of Endoscopic Spinal Surgery?

Compared to more traditional types of spine surgery, endoscopic spinal surgery has many benefits:

• Smaller incisions, less pain: With tiny incisions and minimal disruption to muscles, this procedure reduces post-surgery pain and speeds up healing.
• Faster recovery and return to life: Many patients return to work and daily activities much sooner compared to traditional spine surgery.
• Minimal scarring: The small incisions result in less visible scarring, preserving the natural look of your skin.
• Lower risk of complications: Less trauma to surrounding tissues means a reduced risk of infection, blood loss, and other surgical complications.
• Outpatient procedure: In most cases, patients can go home the same day, avoiding long hospital stays.
• Preserves spinal strength: This approach avoids unnecessary damage to muscles and ligaments, helping to maintain the spine’s natural stability and function.
• Precise and effective: With high-definition imaging, surgeons can pinpoint and treat the exact cause of pain with minimal disruption to normal tissue.