Cervical disc surgery in Iran
In general, cervical disc surgery in Iran is performed by different techniques and is performed in several ways.
Each of these methods can be performed in specific conditions and cases and the choice of type of method is made by the surgeon according to the patient’s condition.
Due to various factors and with high pressure on the cervical discs, this disc may be cracked and the complication of cervical disc rupture may occur.
In such cases, the gelatinous fluid is transferred to the outside of the disc in a process that puts pressure on the spinal cord.
The result of this pressure is that the person feels severe pain when turning his neck, and unfortunately this complication can not be repaired over time.
As a result, cervical disc surgery is required to improve this complication.
The cervical disc is a type of cartilage that fills the space between the vertebrae of the neck.
In addition, they both move the spine and prevent pressure on it.
Inside these discs, there is an empty space that is filled with gelatinous liquid.
When moving, this liquid acts like a pillow, causing the vertebrae to move smoothly over each other.
Types of cervical disc surgery in Iran
Anterior cervical disc surgery
In this method, surgery is performed from the front of the neck or anterior. This type of surgery is used for cases where the problem in the patient’s cervical disc puts a lot of pressure on the nerve root of the neck or leads to pressure on the spinal cord.
In cervical disc surgery from the front, the surgeon first makes 2 to 3 cm incisions in the front of the neck and provides enough space to work on the muscles and arteries and access to 1 to 3 spinal discs.
After this surgical procedure, the patient improves very much and the pain caused by the pressure of the disc and on the spinal cord and nerve roots becomes much less. Sometimes there is some pain left in the area that goes away after a few days.
To perform this type of surgery, the patient needs only one day to be hospitalized and rest in the hospital, after which he can perform his daily tasks.
Cervical disc surgery from behind
Cervical disc surgery is used for patients who, in addition to cervical disc problems, have cervical stenosis or OPLL disease.
To perform this procedure, the patient is first placed on the abdomen and after anesthesia, a 10 cm incision is made on the back of the neck. In the next step, the muscles, vertebrae and bones that have put pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots are completely removed so that the spinal cord is completely free and the pressure on it is relieved.
The leaking cartilage is then collected and, if necessary, the ruptured disc is removed, which puts pressure on the spinal cord. If this is done, artificial disks will be used instead of the torn disk.
In some cases, depending on the patient’s condition, fusion or bolt insertion or bone grafting from the back of the cervical vertebrae is used to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and completely heal the complication. After the surgery, the patient should be hospitalized for one to two days to check his condition, after which he can take care of his daily activities.
This method is very suitable for people who have spinal canal stenosis.
Simultaneous cervical disc surgery or 360 degrees
It is performed in very acute and emergency situations.
In this method, surgery is performed from the back of the neck and the front of the neck at the same time, and for this reason it is called 360-degree surgery.
Therefore, the surgeon decides to perform surgery from the front in addition to the back of the neck and empty the discs.
The recovery period and hospitalization of the patient in this surgical method is one to two days and after that the patient can be discharged with a doctor’s diagnosis.
Laser cervical disc surgery in Iran
First, a radiograph is taken from the desired location and then, according to it, a thin needle is inserted into the ruptured disc.
The laser projected onto the disk causes various parts of the gelatinous liquid inside the disk to slowly evaporate. The remaining material is then removed from the site and the spinal cord and nerve roots are released.
Also, due to the rapid absorption of laser energy radiated by cells within the tissues, nerves and lumbar disc, inflammation and pain in the target area is greatly reduced and the outer membrane of the ruptured disc heals faster. As a result, this energy helps to regenerate the shape and improve the performance of the desired disk.
But in cervical disc surgery using laser and optical fiber, only one incision is made to insert the optical fiber under the skin and inside the disc, and then using the laser and its energy, the inner part of the disc evaporates.
As a result, empty space is created inside the disc, and this empty space is returned to the disc by returning the joint fluid to the disc. Therefore, the disk is back to normal, there is no need to use a synthetic disk.
Complications after cervical disc surgery in Iran
Due to the sensitivity and accuracy of this type of surgery, specialists are very skilled and do this using special microscopes and very accurately.
For this reason, the possibility of complications after surgery is very low, but sometimes due to the late referral of patients for surgery and also the pressure on the spinal cord, pain and inflammation occur in the injured area.
In addition, other complications may occur in these conditions, which can be mentioned as follows:
- Remaining of the wound after the operation
- Damage to blood vessels, muscles and nerves
- Development of motor or sensory problems
- Temporary changes in sound
- Cervical pain
- Dizziness and imbalance
- Surgical site infection
Factors that affect recovery time
The patient’s condition after surgery and what type of surgery was performed are two important factors that affect recovery time.
Other factors include:
Patient age: Younger people recover sooner than older people. However, younger people are less likely to develop the condition.
Patient health: If the operated person has other illnesses, the recovery time will generally increase or worsen. Things like smoking, being overweight, drinking too much alcohol and getting chronic diseases all have a negative effect on wound healing.
Patient Lifestyle: Those who lead an active lifestyle and engage in regular physical activity on a regular basis recover quickly. As a result, workaholics often skip this course.
Dr. Mohammad Zarei- Orthopedist specializing in spinal surgery in Iran
