Endoscopic Spinal discectomy - Advantages & Disadvantages at DRHC Dubai

Full endoscopic discectomy FED is a state of an art minimally invasive spinal surgery which changed the perception of the public from fairly complicated open surgery to an elite day-case surgery that is hardly associated with any complication or any significant post-operative pain. Therefore the advantages significantly outweigh the disadvantages.

The advantages of full endoscopic discectomy can be summarized as follows:

• Safe procedure due to the high level of visualization and approved technique.
• Very minimal post-operative pain and very early mobilization.
• 5 mm incision, leaving hardly any scar.
• early return to work.
• very minimal blood loss, not exceeding 10 MLS in most cases.
• Day-stay procedure with no need for overnight hospitalization.
• less risk of retained fragment owing to the high level of visualization, hence much lower reapportion rate. 
• less risk of complications such as neural irritation and dural tear.
• The educational benefit to the medical team as the procedure is seen by all staff on monitors.
• Revision cases can be easily handled under direct vision.
• much less operating time, particularly for obese patients.

The disadvantages, on the other hand, are limited to;

• Higher cost procedure due to the advanced instrumentation required.
• Occasionally, it may be difficult due to anatomical reasons, particularly in the elderly with severe facet joint enlargement, causing narrowing in the interlaminar space.
• The endoscopic experience and high-end scopes bridge the 2D visualization.    

Dr. Rami Hamed Center offers a competitive advantage when it comes to full endoscopic discectomy with the availability of high-end instruments and devices required for this procedure, coupled with the trained staff and extensive experience in spinal surgery.