Central Asian Spine Center
The 7 mm operation: what we do endoscopically
Every operation the team performs through a 7 mm incision, and the ones that need another approach. Each page: how it is done, who it is for, risks, recovery, sources.
Endoscopic operations through a 7 mm incision
Most without general anaesthesia, walking on the day of surgery, home within 24 hours.
Endoscopic lumbar discectomy
The herniated fragment is removed through a 7 mm incision, usually under local anaesthesia with sedation. Most patients walk the same day and go home within 24 hours.
Endoscopic lumbar decompression
Bone and thickened ligament pressing on the nerves are removed through a 7 mm incision, one to three levels through one port, with no screws. Most patients walk the same day.
Endoscopic foraminotomy
Bone and ligament narrowing the nerve's exit canal are shaved away through a 7 mm incision, usually under local anaesthesia, without implants or fusion.
Endoscopic facet cyst removal
A fluid-filled cyst from a worn facet joint is removed through a 7 mm incision. The evidence is small series; it suits stable segments, and fusion is discussed if the joint is unstable.
Endoscopic revision discectomy
A second herniation at an operated level is removed through a 7 mm incision from the side, beside the old scar rather than through it. Fusion is reserved for unstable segments.
Endoscopic lumbar fusion
A cage and two pairs of small screws fix an unstable segment through endoscopic incisions. It is a bigger operation than decompression, chosen when the spine slips or has collapsed.
Endoscopic cervical foraminotomy
A 7 mm keyhole at the back of the neck widens the nerve opening and removes the disc fragment. The disc and the movement of the neck are kept: no plate, no fusion.
Endoscopic cervical decompression
A posterior endoscopic laminotomy takes pressure off the spinal cord or its roots through a 7 mm incision, one level at a time. Patient selection decides whether it is enough.
Endoscopic thoracic discectomy
A rare herniation in the mid-back is removed through a 7 mm side incision, without opening the chest or removing ribs. Small published series report low complication rates in selected patients.
Other operations the team performs
When another approach is needed: multilevel cervical cases, trauma, deformity, fractures.
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
The worn disc is removed through the front of the neck and the vertebrae are joined with a cage and plate. The standard operation for myelopathy and for compression the endoscope cannot reach.
Cervical disc replacement (arthroplasty)
An artificial disc replaces the damaged one and keeps the level moving. Trials against fusion show similar or better results and fewer operations at neighbouring levels in selected patients.
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty
Bone cement is injected into a fractured vertebra through a needle. Sham-controlled trials show a smaller benefit than once believed; this page says which patients the evidence supports.
Spinal fusion (open and minimally invasive)
Two or more vertebrae are joined into one solid block with a cage, bone graft and screws. Reserved for instability, deformity, fractures and tumours, where decompression alone would not hold.
Not sure what you have? Send the MRI.
A doctor from the team reviews the scans and replies by voice within 48 hours: what it is and what to do next.