Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery - Latest Advancement in the Field of Spine Surgery in India

As the man getting civilized, so are the diseases and so are the advancements in the treatments. In a world of stress and competition, diseases are more frequent as body undergoes a functional imbalances. But thanks to the medical scientists and the strenuously working doctors and paramedics for shielding the mankind with their innovative treatment approaches in curing the diseases. Medical sciences in recent years have grown up extensively in order to ease and comfort the patient suffering. One such new advancement in the field of medical sciences is spinal surgery with minimally invasive techniques which has helped to overcome the chronic backaches.   

As the name suggests it is a minimal invasive surgery where there is a small incision is made and open the affecting area with minimal damage to the muscles and the soft tissues on the operating patient. This has lot more benefits than the traditional techniques. The traditional technique of the spine surgery required 5-6 inches deep incision where in the muscles are pulled and moved for the procedure and for visibility. This results in massive bleeding and the injury to the muscles and the soft tissues thereby leading to pain and cause longer recovery period for the patient.

This is solved by the latest advancement of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery (MISS). This latest spine surgery procedure has increased the success rate of the spine surgeries in recent years.    

What is MISS?

Minimal Invasive Spinal Surgery also called as Endoscopic Spinal Surgery where a small tubular retractors are used to do the fusion or the decompression of the vertebral bones in order to relieve the pain caused by a specific disease.

Purpose of MISS

The main purpose of MISS is to reduce the surrounding trauma and in preserving the soft tissues motility and functions normally. It also helps in maintaining and restoring the structures of the spine.

The spinal surgery in India has seen a new growth by this new invention in the surgical field which helped in the specialized care of the patients with back pain, in India. 

Conditions for MISS

This surgery can treat various diseases and conditions of the Neck and Back region. When the medicines and the recommended lifestyles including the exercises fail, MISS comes for help. MISS surgery can efficiently treat the conditions like -

•         Scoliosis
•         Spinal tumors
•         Stenosis
•         Congenital abnormalities
•         Degenerative diseases
•         Chronic low-back ache
•         Neck pain
•          Herniated Discs
•         Traumatic spinal injuries

Benefits of MISS procedure

In contrast to the traditional open spinal surgery, MISS has a lot more of benefits in terms of success in surgical outcomes and in recovery of the patients. The main benefits of MISS procedures are -

Less Bleeding - Bleeding is very minimal which is considered as a part of the puncture and is normal when compared to heavy blood loss of traditional incision methods.

Minimal Injury - As the procedure includes a puncture of the retractor, there is no incision made or any injury to the inside muscle done with tear or pull.

Reduced Infections - As the wounds are small and minimal, the chances of infections are less. The patient is also monitored with antibiotics before, during and after surgical procedures to reduce the infections.

Decreased Pain at the Operated Site - In old traditional methods, the muscle pull and the contraction of the muscles resulted in excess pain for days but this surgery has minimal pain at the operated site.

Fast Recovery - As the wound is small it helps in minimal infection, tear and bleeding, result in the faster recovery of the patient.

Minimal Hospital stay - As the wound is very minimal it requires no longer hospital stay for the hospital care.

Less Post-Operative Care - The patient after the surgery needs minimal care with faster recovery. Hence there is only minimal post-operative care of the wound to be taken.

The MISS procedures have been getting the attention day by day because of this tremendous health benefits. Our best spine surgeons not only help in relieving your chronic pains by surgical interventions but also help in managing the post-operative problems with their regular follow-ups and guidelines. The MISS has helped in a new improved quality treatment to the spinal diseases of the mankind. 

When does the waiting time for Healthcare Services become Devastating?

Canada has been lately in news for their lack of timely healthcare services and this unfavourable development has also been reported from its neighbour, the U.S. The delay in offering timely medical care is due to several factors, but the main reason is the lack of enough facilities and professionals to cater to huge masses of patients.

The waiting period is a very common terminology in the healthcare sector. It is the amount of time an individual spends waiting to receive proper healthcare services. From scheduling an appointment to receiving treatment, today, patients have to wait for a very long time to get the right treatment for their illness. 

Some of the time-consuming processes

Individuals seeking emergency medical treatment have to wait in long queue for a specialist’s appointment.

The tests for diagnosing ailments can take up to weeks to get completed.

The waits are extremely long for organ transplants

Long waits to book an operation

Devastating effect of long waiting periods on patients

Doctors are supposed to offer medical assistance to patients within 30 minutes of their arrival at the hospital or clinic, but at many centres healthcare wait times extend for several hours. Long waits for healthcare services can lead to the following adverse effects on patients -

Delay in diagnosis of an illness

Can lead to deterioration of the health

Additional expenses

Patients may give up on seeking treatment

Psychologically taxing. It can create anxiety and stress in individuals

Mortality

Causes of long waiting periods for medical treatment

Incompatibility in supply and demand

Complex procedures for accessing care and reimbursement

Use of outdated technology for scheduling

Geographical and financial constraints

Incompetent medical professionals

Going abroad for medical treatments

Medical tourism has gained immense popularity over the years and this is mainly due to the fact that some countries offer quick access to the best medical treatments. India has been the front runner in offering quality medical care to foreigners. Medical assistance in India is the best because patients can meet up with highly qualified doctors without long waits. The government offers quick visas for individuals travelling to India for seeking medical care.

People from all over the globe find medical treatment costs in India very affordable and of top quality. In fact, studies show that in India the medical costs are 30 percent fewer costs than in the western countries. The country has several modern healthcare facilities which house experienced medical professionals with various specializations. The technology is cutting edge and these facilities offer immediate treatment for heart attack, cancer, organ failure, infertility and other emergency conditions.

Since English is the second official language in India, patients from abroad will not find it difficult communicating the caregivers in India. Being home to 5000-year-old medicine systems such as Naturopathy, Ayurveda, and Yoga, India has made immense advancements in medicine. All of these holistic approaches are equally favoured by foreign patients, along with the modern medicine.

World Thalassemia Day

Thalassemia is blood disorder that occurs due to deletion of major gene fragments that plays a key role in producing the haemoglobin. In some cases, a genetic mutation in the haemoglobin genes also causes this disorder.

Haemoglobin is a molecule of a protein in the red blood cells. In this inherited disorder, the body produces an abnormal form of haemoglobin and it results in inadequate oxygen supply to the muscles.

Usually, parents become the carriers of this genetic disorder. If both parents have this disorder, there are greater chances that the next generation will have a more serious form of this disease.

Types of Thalassemia:

Based on the severity of this disorder, there are 3 main types of Thalassemia.

Thalassemia Minor -  People with this disorder don't actually have any symptoms. However, they act as the carriers of this disorder to next generation. With the lack of visibility of any symptoms, it is not possible to identify this disorder. It makes important for us to get tested if any of the family members or relatives have this disorder.

Alpha Thalassemia–This type has two sub types - Hemoglobin H disease and Hydrops Fetalis.

Hemoglobin H – This mainly affects the facial bones causing over or abnormal growth of jaws, cheeks, and forehead. Additionally, it causes enlargement of spleen, jaundice, and malnourishment by causing poor appetite, especially in children. 

Hydrops Fetalis – This is an extreme condition of the disease that mainly observed in the fatuous in the womb. Most cases, the baby will be either stillborn or dies shortly after the delivery. 

Beta Thalassemia – In this case, both parents would be Thalassemia patients and the disorder will be severe in the next generation. This also has two subtypes - Thalassemia Major (aka Cooley’s Anemia) and Thalassemia Intermedia.

Thalassemia Major (aka Cooley’s Anemia) – This type of Thalassemia is usually so severe and life threatening that the patient may require frequent blood and bone marrow transfusions. The symptoms also including infections, jaundice, poor growth, enlarged organs, and fussiness.

Thalassemia Intermedia – People with this form of Thalassemia don’t require the blood transfusion. The severity is way lesser than Thalassemia Major. However, regular diet and doctor consultation may help the patient to keep health in stable condition. 

Treatment 

The treatment of Thalassemia depends on the form and severity of it. Regular consultations with the doctor help in understanding the form of the disease and hence the treatment. Need to take diet which is nutritionally rich along with the supplements if prescribed.

In the severe forms of Thalassemia, it is advisable not to take food or supplements that contain iron. Human body develops excess iron when the blood is transfused. If the food also has iron contents, there are chances of excess iron in the body which is not good for health.

If any of the above mentioned symptoms are observed in infants below 2 years, or any of the family member has this disorder, the child needs to be taken to the haematologist (Blood related disorder specialist).

If you have Thalassemia, consult a genetic counsellor before thinking of having children.

Severe form of Thalassemia is a chronic disorder and coping with it is challenging. The patient require healthy diet, regular consultations with the doctor and most importantly moral support from the family members and friends.