Diagnosis and treatment of spinal diseases using advanced techniques

Pioneering the application of new techniques

Patient Mai Van H, 60 years old, has had lumbar spine pain for a long time, and internal medicine treatment has not helped. Now the patient has severe pain, radiating down the legs, making it very difficult to walk. The patient came to Nghe An Orthopedic Trauma Hospital for examination with a diagnosis of central L4-L5 disc herniation, causing spinal stenosis. The patient was consulted and operated on using microsurgery, spinal fixation, and minimally invasive interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF). Three days after surgery, the patient was able to sit up and walk, and was discharged after 11 days of treatment.

Doctors perform minimally invasive surgery for intervertebral disc herniation through the intervertebral foramen. Photo: Dinh Nguyet

Thanks to the application of surgical microscopes, high magnification head-mounted loupes have contributed to changing the approach to surgery for herniated discs and spinal diseases. Surgical details such as discs, nerve roots, nerve root sheaths, and ligamentum flavum are evaluated and seen in more detail. With the advantage of illumination and magnification of surgical microscopes, along with the development of modern machine systems, it contributes to making herniated disc surgery safer, easier, with smaller and more aesthetic incisions, faster post-operative recovery; helping patients quickly reintegrate into normal life. This advanced technique has been effectively applied for more than a year in the department, improving the effectiveness of surgical treatment for herniated discs and spinal stenosis for patients.

Performing biological cement injection technique to treat lumbar vertebral collapse for patients at Nghe An Orthopedic Trauma Hospital. Photo: Dinh Nguyet

In addition, the hospital is also one of the pioneering medical units in the province to apply the technique of injecting biological cement to create vertebral body through the skin; opening up opportunities for effective, safe and quick treatment for patients with vertebral collapse due to osteoporosis, spinal trauma and spinal metastasis. This is a method with many outstanding advantages, overcoming the disadvantages of previous methods. This method is being routinely performed in the department, each year, receiving effective treatment for about 100 patients; bringing high treatment efficiency.
Patient Nguyen Thi Loan (65 years old), from Thanh Luong commune, Thanh Chuong, fell from a height and suffered a collapsed vertebra, pain, and could not walk. After being admitted to the hospital, the doctors examined and diagnosed her with a collapsed vertebra D12 and osteoporosis. She was prescribed a biological cement injection. After 2 hours of surgery, the patient began to sit up and exercise, she no longer felt pain, her health gradually stabilized and she was discharged after 3 days of treatment.

Images before and after spinal fixation surgery using percutaneous screw fixation, performed at the Department of Neurosurgery - Cranio-Spinal. Photo: Document

“With the goal of increasingly improving the quality of treatment for patients, the Department of Neurosurgery - Cranio-Spine, Nghe An Orthopedic Trauma Hospital, focuses on investing in modern medical equipment, the team of highly specialized doctors of the department has been and is routinely implementing many new and specialized treatment techniques; including new techniques in the treatment of spinal diseases such as: Treatment of disc herniation by minimally invasive surgery, spinal fixation surgery by percutaneous screw fixation; cervical vertebra replacement surgery in cases of cervical vertebral body fracture due to trauma, vertebral destruction due to cancer... by anterior cervical incision; surgery to treat osteoporosis by percutaneous cement injection; spinal fixation surgery by posterior inter-arch soft brace..." - Master, Doctor Tran Van Bien - Head of the Department of Neurosurgery - Cranio-Spine said.

Performing endoscopic disc herniation surgery

Spinal diseases (herniated disc, spinal degeneration, spinal stenosis, traumatic spinal stenosis...) are common in people of working age, mainly those who do heavy labor, or sit for long periods in an inappropriate position, directly affecting the spine, ligaments and muscles next to the spine...

The hospital continues to deploy new techniques such as endoscopic disc herniation surgery and other minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques... Photo: Dinh Nguyet

In mild cases of spinal disease, patients only need to rest, combine internal medicine, physical therapy, massage, physical exercises, infrared light therapy or use supportive drugs such as pain relievers, muscle relaxants, etc. In more severe cases, patients need to go to a specialized hospital for examination and appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Spinal diseases not only directly affect health but also cause many inconveniences in daily life, study, work; affecting the quality of life of patients.

“The hospital’s recent achievements in specialized medical technology have affirmed its remarkable development in expertise and quality of medical examination and treatment. With the orientation of increasingly improving the quality and effectiveness of treatment with gentle and safe surgery for patients, and providing better and better health care for patients, in the coming time, the hospital will continue to invest in modern and advanced equipment, deploying new techniques such as endoscopic disc herniation surgery and other minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques…With the effort to master many specialized techniques, new techniques, providing high-quality medical services, the brand of Nghe An Orthopedic Trauma Hospital is increasingly affirmed in the province and the region" - Master, Doctor Tran Van Bien - Head of the Department of Neurosurgery - Craniofacial - Spinal Surgery affirmed.