Online edition of India's National
Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 03, 2002
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METRx, a godsend for people with back pain
By Our Staff
Reporter
BANGALORE
Oct. 2.
For Shantakumari, who had severe pain in her left leg and lower
back, the Minimal Invasive Spine surgery has been a godsend.
Thanks to the METRx
system (Micro Endoscopic Disectomy system), which has now enabled
minimal hospitalisation and less scar formation for spine problems,
Shantakumari is now fit and back on her job.
The new system,
while remaining largely same as conventional open surgery, offers a
range of advantages and possibilities that were hitherto thought
impossible.
Briefing press
persons on Wednesday about the new METRx system in Minimal Invasive
Spine surgery, Arjun Srivatsa (Consultant Neurosurgeon for brain and
spinal disorders) said the system was largely beneficial to those
with herniated discs.
The system provides
a conduit to the numerous benefits of minimally invasive techniques.
By the use of this system, spine surgeons are now able to remove
herniated intervertebral discs in the lumbar spine (that put
pressure on the spinal nerve roots and acute pain) in a minimally
invasive fashion, he said.
Herniated discs
occur because the discs that act as shock absorbers between the
bones of the spinal column become stiff and less flexible as one
grows older.
Discs that lose
their flexibility can rupture and cause neck pain and back pain.
A part of the
inside of the disc can herniate or leak out through a tear in the
ligaments that surround the disc causing pressure on the spinal
chord or the nerves that travel out to the arms and legs, Dr.
Srivatsa explained.
Conventionally,
these discs were removed by open procedures with more tissue removal
and disruption and a longer time of in capacitance, the doctor said.
Listing the
advantages of using the new system, he said there would be a smaller
incision and less damage to the muscles and ligaments of the spinal
column. Faster mobilisation, easier rehabilitation, and physical
therapy after the surgery, minimal scar formation and shorter
hospital stay are the other advantages.
Dr. Srivatsa said
he had conducted eight surgeries so far in the City.
Although the
equipment for the surgery was expensive, the actual cost of the
surgery was just 20 per cent more than the conventional one, he said.
The METRx system
was expected to form the basis of all future surgeries and had been
expanded to other segments such as cervical disectomy, laminotomy,
medial facetectomy, foraminotomy, and spinal canal stenosis. The
next step in technology advancement was the insertion of implants,
which is already being put to use in the Western countries, he said.
The Sapthagiri Digital Imaging Centre in the Chinmaya Mission
Hospital Complex and the Sri Satya Sai Baba Hospital in the City
were the only places where the new facility was available, the
doctor added.
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