Ernest Braxton, MD, successfully performed a two-hour minimally invasive spinal fusion procedure where the patient was awake at Vail-Summit (Colo.) Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, reports Summit Daily.
Four insights:
1. The transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion keeps the patient awake with localized pain blocks and eliminates the need for general anesthesia and postoperative opioids.
2. The procedure offers a safer option as it allows the surgeon to monitor the patient's neurological state during the procedure.
3. It is also more cost-effective than traditional spinal fusions as it avoids the use of intravenous drugs.
4. Traditional spinal fusions transpire to a three or four day hospital stay but the awake procedure enables the patient to return home on the same or next day, according to Dr. Braxton.
"It allows me to locate what the pain generator is in real-time and fix it, and it ensures that the neurological structures are handled with great care during the surgery," said Dr. Braxton. "It also facilitates a more professional environment in the operating room that is centered on taking care of the patient and respect for the patient."