Endoscopic Spinal Procedures

Endoscopic spine surgery is the minimally or ultra-minimally invasive approach that allows for the resolution of an increasing number of spinal problems using cutting-edge technology.

For me, your well-being is more than a mission; it's my top priority. That's why I put the most innovative technology at your service, always with the most important thing in mind: listening to you, understanding you, and providing you with the trust and human warmth you deserve every step of the way.

Dr. Jorge Alvaro Gonzalez Ross

Lumbar and thoracic endoscopic surgery.

We understand that living with spinal pain—whether in the neck, back, or sciatica—can be debilitating and affect every aspect of your life. Fortunately, medical technology has advanced by leaps and bounds. As your spinal health specialist in Guadalajara, I am proud to offer endoscopic spine surgery, a cutting-edge technique that is transforming patients' lives by offering faster recovery and effective relief with minimal stress on the body.

Forget large incisions and long recovery periods. Welcome to the era of "ultra-minimally invasive" spine surgery.

What is Endoscopic Spine Surgery?

Think of it like performing high-precision surgery through the eye of a needle. Through a millimeter-sized incision (less than 1 cm), we insert an endoscope, a thin tube equipped with a high-definition camera and a light. This allows us to view your spine on a monitor with exceptional clarity, magnifying the nerve structures and allowing us to resolve the problem (such as a herniated disk or stenosis) with high-precision instruments, without damaging the surrounding healthy muscles and tissues.

The benefits for you are clear and overwhelming:

Less Postoperative Pain: Since no muscles are cut, pain after surgery is minimal.
Record Recovery: Many of our patients return to their daily activities in a matter of days, not months.
Almost Invisible Scar: The small incision leaves a minimal mark.
Lower Risk of Infection: Smaller incisions mean less exposure and risk.
Same-Day Discharge: In most cases, you will be able to go home hours after the procedure.

Endoscopic cervical spine surgery

Are you suffering from neck pain that radiates down your arms, or experiencing numbness and weakness in your hands?

Cervical endoscopy is the ultra-minimally invasive solution to treat herniated discs, foraminal stenosis, and cases of central stenosis that cause these symptoms, immediately releasing the pressure on your nerves.

Our endoscopic approach is radically different. Through an incision of just 5-7 mm, we introduce a high-definition camera that magnifies your anatomy, allowing us to work with extraordinary precision. Depending on your diagnosis, we can use two access routes:

Posterior Approach (from the back of the neck): Ideal for herniated discs or stenosis compressing a nerve on the side. With this technique, we access the problem directly without touching the main disc structure and without the need to fuse the vertebrae. This results in an almost immediate recovery and the preservation of 100% of your neck's mobility.

Anterior Approach (from the front): For more central problems. It allows us to remove a hernia or decompress the spinal cord through the natural folds of the neck skin, leaving a virtually invisible scar.

Precise Decompression for Cervical Stenosis

One of the most common diagnoses is cervical stenosis, the progressive narrowing of the canals through which your nerves and spinal cord pass. This is usually caused by the growth of bone (osteophytes) and the thickening of ligaments due to natural wear and tear. With the endoscopic technique, we perform a selective foraminal or laminar decompression. Think of it as a micro-sculpting job:

Using diamond micro-burrs and other precision instruments, we carefully "sculpt" and remove only the bone or ligament that is trapping the nerve. We free up the vital space for your nerve to function correctly again, but without altering the natural structure and stability of your cervical spine. This procedure is unthinkable with traditional techniques and represents the highest expression of ultra-minimally invasive surgery.

Immediate and Long-Term Benefits

By choosing cervical endoscopic surgery, you are opting for:

Immediate Relief: Pain, numbness, and tingling in the arm often improve drastically hours after the surgery.
Preservation of Movement: The main goal is to solve the problem without fusing the neck, keeping your range of motion intact.
Recovery of Function: Regain the strength and dexterity in your hands to return to your activities.
No Neck Brace (in most cases): Unlike traditional surgery, many patients do not require a rigid cervical collar.
Minimal Scar and Pain: A rapid recovery with minimal discomfort.

When it Comes to Your Neck, a Conventional Solution is Not an Option

The technology and experience to treat your cervical condition in the safest and most effective way already exist. Do not resign yourself to living with pain or fearing aggressive surgery.

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Pequeña incisión de cirugía endoscópica cervical posterior

Dr. J. Alvaro Gonzalez Ross. Especialista en cirugía endoscopica de columna

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Endoscopic thoracic spine surgery

Although less common, thoracic disc herniations can be very painful. The precision of endoscopy allows us to access this delicate area safely and effectively, something that is much more complex and risky with traditional surgery.

This is where endoscopic thoracic surgery represents a complete paradigm shift.

Using a state-of-the-art endoscope and a mere 8 mm incision, we access your thoracic spine with a direct and magnificient view of the problem. Instead of an aggressive approach, we safely navigate between vital structures. It's the difference between opening a wall to fix a pipe and using a microcamera to repair it from the inside without touching anything else.

This technique allows us to address the cause of your pain with a level of safety that was previously unattainable, drastically minimizing the risks associated with traditional surgery in this delicate area.

Conditions We Treat with Thoracic Endoscopy

Our experience in this ultra-minimally invasive technique allows us to offer a definitive solution for pathologies such as:

Thoracic Disc Herniation: This is the most common cause of pain in this area. With endoscopy, we precisely remove the disc fragment compressing a nerve root or the spinal cord, relieving pain and neurological symptoms.
Thoracic Foraminal Stenosis: We free the space where the spinal nerve exits, eliminating the pressure that causes radiated pain.
Synovial Cysts and Other Lesions: We can accurately resect cysts or other lesions that occupy space within the spinal canal.

Key Benefits of Thoracic Endoscopic Surgery

Choosing an endoscopic approach for your thoracic spine problem translates into benefits that will transform your surgical experience:

Maximum Security: Manipulation of vital organs and large blood vessels is avoided.
Total Stability Preservation: No muscles are cut, nor are ribs removed or moved, keeping the stability of your rib cage intact.
Minimal Postoperative Pain: Because it is such a minimally traumatic procedure, pain is significantly less.
Immediate Functional Recovery: Most patients are up and walking within hours of surgery.
Shorter Hospital Stay: Significantly reduces hospitalization time compared to open surgery.

Endoscopic lumbar spine surgery

This is the most commonly affected area. Lumbar endoscopy is the gold standard for treating:

Herniated Discs and Sciatica: We release the compressed sciatic nerve, providing immediate relief from pain, burning, and numbness in the leg.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: We widen the space where your nerves pass, allowing you to walk longer distances again without pain or heaviness.

Endo-LIF: The Lumbar Fusion of the Future, Today

For patients requiring a lumbar fusion due to instability (spondylolisthesis) or severe degenerative disc disease, we offer Endo-LIF (Endoscopic Lumbar Intervertebral Fusion).

Unlike traditional fusions (TLIF, PLIF), which require large incisions and damage the muscles, Endo-LIF allows us to perform the entire fusion through the same small incision as endoscopy. This results in the stability of a fusion, but with the incredible benefits of minimal invasion: less pain, less bleeding, and a radically faster recovery.

Awake Spine Surgery: Safety and Total Control

Taking innovation to the next level, we are one of the few centers to offer endoscopic spine surgery under conscious sedation, also known as "Awake Spine Surgery."

During this procedure, you don't require general anesthesia. You'll be comfortably sedated and pain-free, but conscious. This allows us to:

Monitor nerve function in real time: You can provide immediate feedback, maximizing the safety of the procedure.
Ideal for older adults or patients with other medical conditions: Risks associated with general anesthesia are avoided.
Even faster recovery: With no residual effects from general anesthesia, your postoperative recovery is faster and more lucid.

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