Understandably, patients who need spine surgery tend to prefer outpatient procedures whenever possible. In order to meet patients’ demand, spine surgeons in Los Angeles and throughout the country are taking steps to improve the outcome of outpatient surgeries by embracing new technologies designed to reduce recovery time while improving success rates.
Promising Innovations Are Becoming Reality
Innovations in infection control, pain management and the way in which anesthesia is delivered and monitored are making outpatients procedures more effective and safer than ever before. The increased use of cameras and other visualization technology means that patients can benefit from:
- Shorter recovery times
- Less blood loss
- Greater accuracy with procedures
- Fewer side effects (or none at all)
Better Training on Newer Techniques
While there is something to be said for experience, younger surgeons tend to be better trained in newer techniques that can make some outpatient procedures more effective. A lot of the newer techniques can be performed in surgery centers or medical clinics rather than hospitals, which can boost the likelihood that a patient can go home the same day with no overnight stay required.
Assembling Comprehensive Teams
Outpatient procedures are becoming more of a team effort that includes careful planning. Surgeons often confer with more than one specialist and other board-certified spine surgeons to identify patients who are prime candidates for outpatient procedures. Part of this process includes finding anesthesiologists who are comfortable performing their role in the procedure outside of a hospital setting. With careful planning, even unexpected complications can be dealt with safely in an outpatient setting.
Moving Forward
More complex procedures like multilevel ACDFs are also becoming outpatient procedures due to improvements in technology and more extensive training in the newer, less-invasive techniques. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to spine surgery, so patients will still have to be evaluated on an individual basis to determine if outpatient procedures will provide optimal relief.
For more information about outpatient procedures and minimally invasive surgeries, reach out to Dr. Hyun Bae, Medical Director of the Spine Institute Center for Spinal Restoration. Dr. Bae has been the lead of numerous clinical trials for new, less invasive treatments for advanced spine conditions and specializes in minimally invasive surgery. Call 310-828-7757 and request an in-person consultation for more information today.