Spinal Surgery
Steps Involved in IVF:
Procedure Description
Spinal surgery encompasses a variety of procedures aimed at treating disorders of the spine, including degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, and spinal instability. The spine is a complex structure composed of vertebrae, discs, nerves, and muscles, which makes surgical interventions intricate and precise. Spinal surgery can range from minimally invasive techniques to open surgeries, depending on the severity of the condition, the area affected, and the patient’s overall health.
One of the main goals of spinal surgery is to alleviate pain, restore function, and improve the quality of life. Surgeons employ various techniques, such as decompression (removing tissue pressing on the spinal cord or nerves), fusion (joining two or more vertebrae to prevent movement), and disc replacement (removing a damaged disc and replacing it with an artificial one). These interventions can stabilize the spine, reduce pressure on nerves, and correct spinal deformities.
Minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) has grown in popularity due to its smaller incisions, reduced tissue damage, and shorter recovery times compared to traditional open surgeries. Techniques such as microdiscectomy and endoscopic spine surgery utilize advanced imaging and instrumentation to achieve precise results with minimal disruption to surrounding structures. While traditional open spinal surgery is still necessary for certain complex cases, MISS has revolutionized patient outcomes for many conditions.
Procedure Duration
The duration of spinal surgery can vary greatly depending on the type of procedure, its complexity, and the patient's condition. Generally, minimally invasive procedures like microdiscectomy can take around 1-2 hours, while more extensive surgeries such as spinal fusion may last anywhere from 4-8 hours. Preoperative planning and imaging play a critical role in minimizing the time spent in surgery by helping surgeons anticipate and address anatomical challenges.
Post-surgery recovery has distinct phases. The immediate postoperative period involves close monitoring in the hospital for 1-3 days to ensure stable vital signs, manage pain, and assess the patient's ability to mobilize. For more extensive procedures, patients may require a longer hospital stay, typically up to a week. After discharge, patients enter the early recovery phase, which lasts a few weeks and involves limited mobility, use of supportive braces, and prescribed physical therapy to aid in rehabilitation.
The final phase of recovery can span several months to a year, particularly for spinal fusion or corrective surgeries. During this period, patients gradually regain mobility and strength, with regular follow-ups to assess spinal alignment, hardware stability, and healing progress. Patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery often experience quicker recoveries, allowing them to return to normal activities within a few weeks.
Benefits
- Pain Relief and Improved Mobility: Spinal surgery can significantly reduce chronic pain caused by nerve compression, improving daily function and quality of life.
- Correction of Spinal Deformities: Procedures like spinal fusion can stabilize and straighten the spine, correcting conditions such as scoliosis and kyphosis.
- Restored Nerve Function: Decompression surgeries relieve pressure on nerves, potentially reversing symptoms like numbness, weakness, and loss of bladder/bowel control.
- Improved Structural Stability: Fusion and instrumentation can restore spinal stability, reducing the risk of further injury or deformity progression.
- Minimally Invasive Options: With advancements in surgical techniques, minimally invasive procedures offer reduced blood loss, smaller incisions, and quicker recovery times.
Potential Destinations
- Germany: Renowned for its high standards in healthcare, Germany offers advanced spinal surgery techniques with highly trained surgeons. The country's robust regulatory environment and cutting-edge technology make it an attractive option for patients seeking the latest interventions in minimally invasive spinal surgery.
- India: With its affordable medical services and high-quality care, India has become a top destination for spinal surgery. Many hospitals have internationally accredited spinal centers that utilize state-of-the-art equipment and highly experienced surgeons, offering treatments at a fraction of the cost found in Western countries.
- South Korea: A leader in medical technology and innovation, South Korea boasts numerous specialized spine centers. The country is known for its rapid adoption of minimally invasive surgical techniques, and its focus on patient-centered care attracts medical tourists from around the globe.
- Turkey: Turkey has gained prominence as a medical tourism hub for spinal surgery due to its skilled workforce, high-quality hospitals, and cost-effective treatments. Istanbul, in particular, is home to several spine centers that are equipped to handle complex cases and provide comprehensive rehabilitation services.
- Spain: Spain offers world-class healthcare facilities with a strong emphasis on research and education in spinal surgery. The country's top hospitals offer a range of procedures, from minimally invasive techniques to complex corrective surgeries, making Spain a popular destination for those seeking reliable and affordable spinal care.
Risks & Considerations
- Infection: As with any surgical procedure, spinal surgery carries a risk of infection. Proper sterilization, surgical technique, and postoperative care are crucial in minimizing this risk.
- Nerve Damage: The proximity of spinal nerves to the surgical site means there is a risk of nerve injury, which could result in numbness, weakness, or paralysis. Surgeons take great care to avoid nerve damage, but it is a potential consideration.
- Blood Clots: Prolonged immobility after surgery can increase the risk of blood clots forming in the legs, which may travel to the lungs. Blood-thinning medications and early mobilization are common preventive measures.
- Hardware Complications: For procedures involving hardware like rods, screws, or cages, there is a risk of breakage, movement, or loosening, which could require revision surgery.
- Incomplete Pain Relief or Recurrence: While spinal surgery can provide significant relief, it is not always a cure-all. Some patients may experience incomplete pain relief or recurrence of symptoms, depending on the underlying condition and surgery type.
How to Choose the Right Doctor and Hospital
Selecting a qualified doctor and hospital is crucial to the success of spinal surgery. Patients should seek surgeons who specialize in spinal conditions, possess relevant certifications, and have substantial experience in the specific type of surgery being considered. Reading patient reviews, evaluating the surgeon’s track record of outcomes, and confirming their involvement in continuing education and training can provide insights into their expertise.
When choosing a hospital, it is essential to consider the facility’s accreditation status, the availability of advanced surgical technologies, and postoperative care services. International accreditations often indicate that a hospital meets rigorous standards of care, safety, and infrastructure. Furthermore, hospitals with dedicated spinal centers are more likely to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care involving neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, pain specialists, and physical therapists.
To receive a free quote for this procedure please click on the link: https://www.medicaltourism.com/get-a-quote
Patients are advised to seek hospitals that are accredited by Global Healthcare and only work with medical tourism facilitators who are certified by Global Healthcare Accreditation or who have undergone certification from the Certified Medical Travel Professionals (CMTP). This ensures that the highest standards in the industry are met. GHA accredits the top hospitals in the world. These are the best hospitals in the world for quality and providing the best patient experience. Click the link to check out hospitals accredited by the Global Healthcare Accreditation: https://www.globalhealthcareaccreditation.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What actually happens during hyperstimulation of the ovaries?
The patient will take injectable FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) for eight to eleven days, depending on how long the follicles take to mature. This hormone is produced naturally in a woman’s body causing one egg to develop per cycle. Taking the injectable FSH causes several follicles to develop at once, at approximately the same rate. The development is monitored with vaginal ultrasounds and following the patient’s levels of estradiol and progesterone. FSH brand names include Repronex, Follistim, Menopur, Gonal-F and Bravelle. The patient injects herself daily.
What happens during egg retrieval?
When the follicles have developed enough to be harvested, the patient attends an appointment where she is anesthetized and prepared for the procedure. Next, the doctor uses an ultrasound probe to guide a needle through the vaginal wall and into the follicle of the ovary. The thin needle draws the follicle fluid, which is then examined by an embryologist to find the eggs. The whole process takes about 20 minutes.
What happens to the eggs?
In the next step, the harvested eggs are then fertilized. If the sperm from the potential father, or in some cases, anonymous donor, has normal functionality, the eggs and sperm are placed together in a dish with a nutrient fluid, then incubated overnight to fertilize normally. If the sperm functionality is suboptimal, an embryologist uses Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection to inject a single sperm into a single egg with an extremely precise glass needle. Once fertilization is complete, the embryos are assessed and prepared to be transferred to the patient’s uterus.
How are the embryos transferred back to the uterus?
The doctor and the patient will discuss the number of embryos to be transferred. The number of successfully fertilized eggs usually determines the number of eggs to be placed in the uterus. Embryos are transferred to the uterus with transabdominal ultrasound guidance. This process does not require anesthesia, but it can cause minor cervical or uterine discomfort. Following transfer, the patient is advised to take at least one days bed rest and two or three additional days of rest, then 10 to 12 days later, two pregnancy tests are scheduled to confirm success. Once two positive tests are completed, an obstetrical ultrasound is ordered to show the sac, fetal pole, yolk sac and fetal heart rate.
Embryoscope©
Built into this technology there is a microscope with a powerful camera that allows the uninterrupted monitoring of the embryo during its first hours of life. In this way, we can keep a close eye on the embryo, from the moment when the oocyte is inseminated and begins to divide into smaller and smaller cells, until it can be transferred to the uterus.
Orthopedics Stem Cell
Knee
Research on mesenchymal stem cells regenerative properties in knee osteoarthritis. In these studies, researchers suggest that Stem Cell Therapy has the potential to regenerate lost cartilage, stop and reverse cartilage degeneration, provide pain relief, and improve patient mobility.
Shoulder
Stem Cell Therapy as an Alternative to Rotator Cuff & Shoulder Replacement Surgery. Stem cell therapy may offer an excellent alternative for patients looking to avoid shoulder joint replacement surgery, as well as many other surgical treatments for shoulder pain.
Ankle
If you suffer from chronic or acute ankle pain or instability due to arthritis, cartilage loss, ligament strain or tear, or tendon damage, then you may benefit from non-surgical stem cell treatments or stem cell-enhanced surgery.
Back Pain
Patients now have a minimally invasive option. Stem cell therapy for back pain and disc herniations can potentially repair the damaged disc or facet joint, restore function, rehydrate the disc, and ultimately alleviate chronic pain.
Anti-Aging Stem Cell
Hair Loss
Stem cell therapy and PRP therapy have been shown to be most effective for: Those in the early stages of hair loss, patients who are not viable candidates for surgery and women who prefer to avoid hair surgery.
Facial Anti-Aging
Aesthetic Anti-Aging. The Aesthetic Stem Cell Localized Treatment is a non-surgical minimally invasive procedure to enhance the appearance of aging skin and hair restoration. This all-natural technique combines dermal injections of bone marrow or adipose tissue derived stem cells and growth factors.
Fertility Stem Cell
Endometrial PRP
The stem cells used for treatment of a thin endometrium include mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, successful repair of the endometrium in pregnancy with stem cells has been reported previously.
Low Ovarian Reserve (PRP)
The treatment uses PRP (Platelet-Rich-Plasma), which with stem cell therapy is the novel therapeutic approach for restoring the quality of the ovarian reserve.Your PRP will contain a physiologic balance of platelets, growth factors and white blood cells tailored specifically for you.
Punta Mita Hospital
Mexico
Punta Mita Hospital - Genesis Cell
Mexico
