Qld's First Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Our goal at Briz Brain & Spine is provide our patients access to the most advanced treatments available for their condition. This includes the latest surgical methods such as endoscopic spine surgery which was recently undertaken for the first time in Queensland by spinal orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Steven Yang.

Dr Yang successfully operated on two patients using an endoscopic approach rather than employing the more traditional open surgery technique. Endoscopic spine surgery is an advanced form of minimally invasive surgery where the surgeon views the surgical site through an endoscope, a thin flexible tube with a lens at one end and a camera at the other, which is then shown on a high definition monitor. The endoscope, along with tubular retractors and other specialised micro-instruments, are inserted into the small spinal incision to enable the surgeon to view and treat the spinal structures.

Although endoscopic surgery has been around for a while and is regularly used in other specialties, it is a relatively new addition to the spine surgery toolbox. With assistance from Dr Rao, a Sydney-based neurosurgeon highly experienced in the endoscopic approach, Dr Yang performed an L4/5 transforaminal discectomy and an L5/S1 interlaminar discectomy. Both of these procedures are used to treat lower back pain and in good news, Dr Yang’s patients who underwent recent endoscopic spine surgery have reported positive outcomes.

Endoscopic spine surgery offers patients a number of benefits including much smaller incisions (usually only about 1cm long), less trauma to muscles and soft tissues, lower levels of blood loss, reduced post-operative pain and faster recovery. Although this approach can’t be used for all spine conditions and is not suitable for all patients, it is exciting that we are now able to offer this innovative surgical technique where appropriate.

Find out more about Dr Steven Yang and his services here.

Contact our friendly clinical team to find out more.