Better understanding
Our work with patients under local anaesthetics has given us a good insight into the true origins of back pain. Conventional doctors and surgeons on the other hand, working with fully anaesthetised patients, have a relatively poor understanding of the mechanisms and sources of pain.
Faster and safer
Offering increased safety for both patient and surgeon, the use of a local anaesthetic facilitates patient feedback which permits more accurate diagnosis and better targeted, more precise surgery. At the same time, it avoids nerve damage which is more likely under a general anesthetic.
Better results
Greater accuracy in diagnosis and more precise treatment of the pain source has indicated encouraging clinical results in at least 80% of patients when examined 2 to 4 years later. In addition, rehabilitation and return to work at 2 to 6 weeks is 5 to 10 times faster than conventional surgery.
Fewer complications
MISS is more selective than conventional surgery, requires minimal intervention and is an order less severe which means complications are 7 times fewer. In addition, a number of complications including thrombosis, strokes, pulmonary embolism, chest infections and urinary problems are avoided.
Less patient trauma
A tiny 7.5mm incision means blood loss is at least 10 times less than conventional surgery and destruction of muscle, blood vessels, nerves, tissue and bone is avoided. NB. Some procedures described as MISS use a 50mm incision and should be better described as ‘Minimal Invasive’.
Less time and costs
Because MISS is “Day case” surgery, it means 5 – 10 times less hospitalisation than conventional surgery and costs are reduced by avoiding the need for metal implants and for treating complications. At the same time patients recover more quickly and are able to resume their normal work and life sooner.
More conditions now treatable
MISS allows treatment where none could be offered previously and new surgery techniques are expanding the envelope of disabilities that can be treated so that a greater variety of conditions can be addressed in patients of a wider age and infirmity range.
Revolutionary techniques
Our minimally invasive ‘keyhole surgery’ techniques cause significantly reduced blood loss which is important for Jehovah’s Witnesses. At the same time minimal disturbance of tissue and spinal function means less surgery and a faster recovery than the ‘overkill’ problems of traditional open surgery.
