The Miriam Hospital has become the first hospital in Rhode Island to perform an endoscopic lumbar spinal fusion. Performed by Dr. Bryce Basques, endoscopic spine fusion offers patients a groundbreaking surgical option that dramatically reduces pain, recovery time, and length of hospital stay compared to traditional spinal fusion techniques.
Endoscopic spinal fusion represents a significant evolution in spine surgery. Using a tiny camera and highly specialized instruments, surgeons can complete the same fusion procedure performed in open or minimally invasive surgery, but through far smaller incisions and without cutting through large muscle groups. This results in less tissue trauma, reduced postoperative pain, and a faster return to normal activity.
“We are incredibly proud to be the first hospital in Rhode Island to bring endoscopic spinal fusion surgery to our community,” said Maria Ducharme, DNP, RN, president, The Miriam Hospital and chief quality executive, Brown University Health. “This achievement underscores our surgical team’s dedication to innovation, excellence, and patient safety. I am deeply grateful to our exceptional team for their commitment to advancing care and continually raising the standard for what’s possible.”
Patients who undergo endoscopic spinal fusion typically report meaningful differences in their recovery, including smaller incisions, less blood loss, dramatically reduced postoperative discomfort, and fewer days away from work or daily life. While traditional fusion may require several days of hospitalization, many endoscopic fusion patients can safely return home on the day of surgery.
“This is a major step forward for spine surgery in the state of Rhode Island,” said Bryce Basques, MD, orthopedic spine surgeon at The Miriam Hospital. “Endoscopic spinal fusion allows us to perform a highly complex procedure through minimal incisions, avoiding the muscle disruption that often makes recovery from traditional fusion so challenging. Being the first in Rhode Island to offer this level of innovation reflects our team’s deep expertise and commitment to bringing the most advanced, least invasive care to our patients.”
With the introduction of endoscopic spinal fusion, The Spine Center at The Miriam Hospital continues to position itself at the forefront of innovative, patient-centered spine care, ensuring that Rhode Islanders have access to the most advanced treatment options close to home.