Microsurgical Discectomy Abroad

Microsurgical Discectomy Abroad Cost Package:
{The surgery cost covers all medical & logistics costs at the destination}
International Destinations: India, Jordan, Mexico, South Korea, Turkey

Microsurgical Discectomy is a commonly used procedure for inter-vertebral disc herniation and spinal stenosis (which occurs due to calcium deposits on the spinal canal, often referred to as, osteophytes). The process is also called as the open operation, as it allows the surgeon to actually view the herniated disc through small incisions in the skin.

This procedure is considered to be more reliable compared to the closed procedures (i.e. percutaneous procedures), as the surgeon can directly view the disc fragments. After moving the muscles of the back and excising a bit of bone tissue, the surgeon can directly look into the spinal canal. The procedure involves the use of an operating microscope which allows magnification of the degenerated spinal disc material and further allows greater mobility to the operating surgeon. This allows quicker post operative healing of the wound and hastens recovery.

Clinical evidence suggests that the surgical outcomes of microsurgical discectomy are superior in most areas when compared to percutaneous techniques and other endoscopic techniques (i.e. transforaminal endoscopic discectomy). The microsurgical discectomy procedure mandates the need for a well qualified medical team and latest medical equipment technology to ensure utmost success. There are few international medical tourism destinations which meet the requisites for providing international and good quality of medical care. These destinations include India, South Korea, Turkey, Jordan and Mexico.

Why Microsurgical discectomy?

The underlying principle of microsurgical discectomy involves the use of microscopes or endoscopic visualization tools, through a small incision in the skin. This minimal invasive surgery has several advantages over the conventional open surgery, which include,

• Reduced frequency of surgical and post operative complications
• Significant reduction in blood loss that may occur during the procedure
• As the procedure is less invasive (i.e. the inter-vertebral disc herniation is excised without disturbing the surrounding muscles and ligaments) compared to the conventional procedure, it requires lesser post operative narcotic pain medication
• There is a considerable reduction in the hospitalization stay and allows the patient to resume his daily routine activities within a few days after the procedure.

In comparison to closed procedures with percutaneous approach, microsurgical discectomy allows greater visualization of the herniated inter-vertebral disc material reducing the chances and need for repeating the procedure.

Conservative Care before Microsurgical discectomy

• Prior to deciding the surgical intervention on the patient, it is crucial that conservative treatment is tried. Conservative care includes physical therapy with exercises for pelvic stabilization. Occasionally traction may be required
• Some patients may require steroidal epidural injections, directly into the spinal canal, to alleviate the irritation caused due to inflamed nerve roots.
• Usually the conservative programme is tried for about four to six weeks before considering surgery.
• In cases of severe disc herniation, causing weakness, pain and numbness, it is recommended to conduct the surgery immediately as conservative care is not expected to provide relief.

Procedure of Microsurgical discectomy:

• The procedure involves the use of an operating microscope with 300 mm long objective. The operating microscope has lenses which are arranged in such a way, that it allows the surgeon to see with both the eyes under excellent lighting, into deep narrow openings (i.e. stereoscopic viewing). The microscope is placed on a flexible stand allowing the surgeon greater mobility
• Patients are placed in the lateral decubitus position, so that the affected side is up. The surgeon is seated while conducting the procedure. X rays are taken prior to the procedure to confirm the correct inter vertebral disc space to be operated upon.
• The procedure takes approximately sixty minutes and is conducted under general anesthesia.
• A 15 to 25 mm incision is made in the midline of the lower back. Following the incision, the back muscles are moved out rather than cut.
• Next the surgeon enters the spine after removing a layer of membrane over the nerve root (ligamentum flavum).
• A small portion of the facet joint bone is removed using a high speed drill to drill a small hole in the bone.
• The nerve root is gently moved and the par t of the inter-vertebral disc material pressuring on the spinal cord is dissected. Subsequently, the wound is surgically closed and covered with bandages to promote healing

Post operative care after microsurgical discectomy

• The patient is mobilized within 24 hours after the surgery with a simple exercise programme
• The patient is expected to take oral antibiotics to ensure protection against infections around the surgical wound site.
• About one week after the microsurgical discectomy the patient can resume low stress routine activities. The physical therapist will train the patient with other exercises to improve the general spine condition and enhance lower back stabilization.
• Concurrently, the patient is advised to initiate brisk walking for 20 to 30 minutes each day along with swimming and / or cycling program.
• It will take about two to three months before the patient fully recovers and indulges in vigorous sport activities like tennis and skiing.

Complications of microsurgical discectomy:

• The complications associated with microsurgical discectomy are lower than conventional procedures and approximately 95% of patients obtain good to excellent pain relief (depending upon the medical condition and age of the patient). The pain relief is almost instantaneous after the procedure
• Common complications include dural tears, nerve root injuries or inflammation of the inter vertebral disc material ( discitis), which occurs is less than 1.5% of the patients
• Long term complications include need for a re-surgery at the same level which occurs in about 5% of the patients

Microsurgical Discectomy in India:

India has registered significant growth in the past decade, which has brought about significant improvement in its physical infrastructure like roads, railways, airports, hotels, etc. India is a huge country with several JCI accredited hospitals located across major metros in the country namely Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai. Medical tourists can avail of benefits of the low cost, international quality of medical care coupled with an opportunity to tour one of the largest countries in the world. With Indian traditional systems of medicine, namely Ayurveda, gaining increasing recognition internationally, surgical care may be coupled with alternative medical care to promote healing and improve the outcomes of surgery.

Microsurgical Discectomy in Mexico:

It is said that the Mexican border with the USA is first medical tourismdestinations based on the modern concepts of medical care. It is also one of the busiest medical tourism destinations. Several hospitals in Mexico have gained accreditation as per the American model to reinstate its commitment to provide quality of care at lower costs. Surgical and medical care in Mexico would cost as little as 25% to 50% of the cost in equivalent setups in the United States.

Microsurgical Discectomy in Turkey:

Turkey has several private healthcare institutes of international repute, trained and qualified team of medical professionals, providing medical and surgical care at costs substantially lower than those in the United States. With an annual inflow of over 200,000 medical tourists, mostly from Europe and Middle East, Turkey is emerging as one of the most preferred and best medical tourism destination in the West Asian Region.

Microsurgical Discectomy in Jordan:

Realizing the country’s immense potential and a robust medical care infrastructure, the World Bank has ranked Jordan as the best medical tourism destination in the region. The country has catered to over 250,000 medical tourists in 2007 and these figures are growing exponentially. Furthermore, Jordan provides the same quality of medical care as available in the United States at a mere one forth the cost, making it increasingly attractive for US citizens seeking low cost, good quality of care abroad.

Microsurgical Discectomy in South Korea:

In a span of few years, South Korea has treated several thousand medical tourists from international destinations. Though its distant location, limits, the volume of American patients, its positive features like high quality of equipments incorporating the use of latest technological innovations, internationally trained and qualified medical teams and overall low cost of medical care have continued to attract American patients needing complex surgical treatment.

Related links:

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Cervical Microdiscectomy Abroad 
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Cervical Disc Replacement Abroad
Spinal Decompression Abroad
Artificial Spinal Disk Replacement Abroad
Laminectomy For The Excision Of Spinal Tumors Abroad

Medical Tourism Corporation facilitates affordable Microsurgical Discectomy Abroad at many international locations including Mexico, India & Spain. Fill out the free estimate request form for a free quote & more information.