According to a new study, an emerging type of minimally invasive spine surgery reduces the use of pain medication in patients’ recovery compared to those who undergo other less minimally invasive spine surgery, which uses larger incisions resulting in more post-operative pain.
 
The Endoscopic Spine Surgery Program, a part of NYU Langone’s Spine Center developed and used this new technique. The study results were published in World Neurosurgery in September. 
 
This retrospective study consisted of 102 patients and found that endoscopic spine surgery reduced the use of opioids by 21% right after surgery compared to other less minimally invasive lower back surgeries. The use of non-opioid pain medication was also reduced by 24%. 
 
This ultra-minimally invasive surgery, called unilateral biportal endoscopic discectomy, is an endoscopic technique that requires only two small incisions for a camera and surgical tools to repair herniated discs in the lower back.
 
“This breakthrough technique is a game changer because it gives patients a better recovery with less pain and less need for narcotics and their related side effects,” said Charla Fischer, co-director of the Endoscopic Spine Surgery Program at NYU Langone Orthopedics and lead author on the study. “This is a highly specialized area, and we are leading in the number of cases performed because we’ve seen the benefit this brings to our patients and their recovery.”
 
While endoscopic spine surgery has shown early potential, until this study, there was a lack of understanding of how it compares in the use of pain medication to other minimally invasive techniques. Future studies with larger sample sizes and prospective designs could further inform the long-term outcomes of endoscopic spine surgery compared to other minimally invasive spine surgical procedures.
 
The Endoscopic Spine Surgery Program is one of only a few in the United States and leads the way in creating treatment guidelines that ensure the safe and responsible use of new endoscopic techniques for spine surgery while allowing surgeons to provide the highest quality of care and the best possible outcomes for NYU Langone patients.