A doctor from the clinical center in Soyaux operated on four herniated discs yesterday performing minimally invasive surgery with the MaxMoreSpine endoscopic system. The first endoscopic spine case in the Charente region.
In OR number 2 of the Clinical Center in Soyaux, English had replaced the French language. Dr Keyvan Mostofi operated four herniated discs under guidance of MaxMoreSpine expert Dr Krzysztof Lokas from Poland, specialist in minimally invasive spine surgery.
“A herniated disc is difficult to operate with conventional techniques because they require an incision of at least 4–5 cm. But the larger it is, the greater the risk of infection and pain, warns Dr. Mostofi. Endoscopy has been on the market for a few years, but few people use it here. The Germans, on the other hand, are far ahead. He himself practiced in Hannover, before arriving in Bordeaux and then in Charente. “This method is fully endoscopic, in other words: almost closed surgery. The incision is less than a centimeter. ”
Enough to pass a small camera and then insert the instruments through the skin, muscle and then bone to reach and remove the herniated disc. At first, this disturbs the marks of the doctor, used to looking at the back of the patient that he has just opened and not at a screen on which the images of the mini-camera are projected. Hence the presence of the Polish expert, who at home operates six hernias a day with this technique. Yesterday, he showed step by step the right gestures to his colleague from Charente. Handled with him drills of different diameters to make their way painstakingly to the spinal disc and hooks intended to remove pieces of bone or disc.
The endoscopic system is manufactured by MaxMoreSpine, the German founder and innovator of endoscopic spine surgery. “At the moment, only a Parisian surgeon uses it from time to time,” says Jonathan Chancel, product manager at France Rachis, which is the official distribution partner of MaxMoreSpine in France. On the other hand, it is widely used in the US, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Korea or China.
Especially since the patient can go home the same day, there is no need to stay hospitalized for a few days. “Since the opening is small, there is less tissue. Recovery is therefore better, around three weeks against six with a classic technique, ”he continues. In the near future, Dr Mostofi plans to perform these operations under local anesthesia.
The patient arrived at the clinic at 6:45 am and was able to go home at the end of the day yesterday. The 35 years old was the very first patient to be operated on a herniated disc through minimally invasive surgery. “I have a tiny scar on my lower back, it’s better than having a big scar,” said the young truck driver and forklift operator. Besides, what scared me was staying paralyzed. It’s been a year since a herniated disc has been killing his life. Physiotherapy sessions had improved slightly, “but it didn’t last”. “I can’t work anymore because the pain even goes down to my leg. “So much so that the young man has to walk on crutches and has been off work since March. “I did my exams here. When I knew I could have the operation here, I didn’t hesitate. It’s better than going galloping in Bordeaux in my home state. “He was offered the operation a month ago. He now hopes to relegate his crutches to the garage and get back to work in a month or two.