Benefits of Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery
Biportal endoscopic spine surgery (BESS) is a revolutionary surgical procedure that provides a minimally invasive alternative to traditional approaches. It utilizes fiber-optic cameras placed on either side of the patient’s body to provide a complete view of the surgical site from all angles. Unlike single portal procedures, BESS allows spine surgeons to have excellent visualization while performing procedures such as decompression without damaging any nearby structures.
BESS VS. Single Portal Procedures
Unlike traditional single portal procedures, biportal endoscopic spine surgery is ultra-minimally invasive, only requiring two small incisions on either side of the spine to access the vertebrae and surrounding tissue. Specialized instruments are inserted through the skin directly into the soft tissues surrounding the spine, eliminating any need for additional openings or large cuts in the skin.
By providing far better access to the spine than the traditional single portal approach, BESS allows for more precise placement of instruments and implants during surgery. This results in less damage to adjacent tissues, less blood loss, and less pain after surgery. There is also continuous irrigation, which minimizes the risk of infection and provides better visualization and continuous cooling down of the soft tissues and nerves.
Additionally, BESS offers far better spine visualization, provides more flexibility, and treats far more pathologies than a single portal procedure does.
Traditional single portal procedures often require surgeons to inject a methylene blue dye into the damaged disk in order to identify it due to low visibility. The problem with this is that methylene dye is toxic to the disk. BESS allows surgeons to avoid having to inject the disk with toxic methylene dye while also improving long-term outcomes.
Additional Benefits of BESS
Other benefits to biportal endoscopic spine surgery include:
- Lower complication rates
- Decreased potential for long-term instability
- Faster recovery time
- Less risk of having complications after surgery
Unlike traditional surgical procedures that can take weeks to recover, patients can expect to go home the same day or so and begin physical therapy in as little as 2-3 weeks when BESS is performed. Patients are cleared to get back to work within a day or so and start driving within a day or as well.
However, just like any surgery, there are risks associated with BESS. If you are considering biportal endoscopic spine surgery and want to know more, you should speak with Dr. Hooman Melamed at The Spine Pro about any potential complications that you may be at risk for.
Pathologies BESS Can Treat
Biportal endoscopic spine surgery can treat more conditions than traditional single portal methods. With increased visualization, BESS can more accurately identify pathologies in the spine and provide targeted treatment.
BESS can help treat back conditions such as:
- Spinal stenosis
- Herniated disc
- Spondylolisthesis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Radiculopathy
- Radiculitis
- Spondylosis
- Spondylolysis
- Lower back pain
- Far-out syndrome
BESS Performed by Dr. Hooman M. Melamed
Dr. Hooman Melamed is highly experienced in minimally invasive spinal procedures, such as the revolutionary biportal endoscopic spine surgery. As a result, he has been added to the Super Doctors list and Castle Connolly’s “Top Doctor” list for several years in a row. In addition, Dr. Melamed has also been the go-to expert on multiple highly regarded TV programs such as Dr. Oz, The Doctors, and Fox News.
Dr. Melamed is devoted to expanding his skills and continuously evolving as a doctor by traveling to South America, Asia, and different states in the U.S to observe other highly regarded doctors and participate in their procedures. He strives to provide the best care possible for his patients without the use of opioids. Instead, he believes in using a more holistic approach to pain management and healing the body from within by utilizing safe, minimally invasive procedures.
Contact the Spine Pro
If you are interested in learning more about how this revolutionary procedure can provide you with a better alternative to traditional spine fusions and other procedures, call (424) 21-SPINE, [email protected] or make an appointment to start the path to your recovery today.
