METRx minimally-invasive spine surgery in Croatia

Spine Surgery CroatiaBlok Vladimira Nazora 632100 VinkovciCroatia

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METRx minimally-invasive discectomy

METRx ® tubular system for spinal surgery is a less invasive version of traditional spine surgery

in which tubular retractor is applied by using microsurgical techniques to achieve nerve and spinalcord decompression and spine stability. For the first time invasive surgeries like microdiscectomy,laminotomy, foraminotomy and inner decompression of the spinal cord can be performed in a lessinvasive way and without the use of general anesthesia. The METRX system combines thereliability of conventional microsurgical methods with the advantages of a minimally invasivetechnique. The advantage of METRX system over traditional microsurgical methods is that now theneurosurgeon can perform spine surgery by using segmental dilators and tubular retractors andapply a technique that minimizes the amount of damage to muscle tissue which is the main factorof spine stability. Contact us for more information.

Features and BenefitsWith the METRx™ System, spine surgeons are now able to remove herniated or "slipped" discs inthe lumbar spine with a minimally invasive technique that significantly decreases the amount ofpain felt by the patient after the operation. Over the last 10 years, many of the surgical sub-specialties in Orthopedics and Neurosurgery have used fiberoptic video cameras and speciallydesigned tools to assist them in performing surgery with much smaller incisions, less damage tothe surrounding tissue, and faster recovery times. Most people are familiar with this type oftechnology in the form of "arthroscopic" surgery, which allows orthopedic surgeons to look insidejoints like the knee and operate through very small incisions with a minimal amount of pain,

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scarring, and trauma to the muscles that move the knee. This type of technology has recently beenapplied to spine surgery, and with the new METRx™ System created by Medtronic SofamorDanek, surgeons can treat herniated discs in the lumber spine with much less trauma to themuscles that support and protect the spine. Minimally invasive surgical techniques have becomethe standard of care in the treatment of many conditions that affect the joints, heart, and GI tract.With this new technology, spine surgeons are now able provide their patients with the samebenefits of less invasive surgery, less post-operative pain, shorter recovery times, and easierrehabilitation.

What type of Spine Surgery is the METRx™ System Used For?The METRx™ System was designed in order to provide spine surgeons with a way of removingherniated intervertebral discs in the lumbar spine that are putting pressure on the spinal nerveroots and causing pain. Herniated discs occur because the discs that act as shock absorbersbetween the bones of the spinal column become stiff and less flexible as we grow older. Discs thatlose their flexibility can rupture and cause neck pain and back pain. A part of the inside of the disccan herniate or leak out through a tear in the ligaments that surround the disc, pressing on thespinal cord or on the nerves that travel out to the arms and legs. A herniated disc can beresponsible for a pain that is felt in the neck or back, but the pressure that the herniated disc putson the spinal cord or the nerve roots can cause pain in the arms or legs and sometimes can evencause problems with the way the spinal cord normally functions. If a herniated disc is pinching anerve in the neck, most people will have persistent neck pain, often with numbness in the arms andhands. If a herniated disc is pinching a nerve in the lower back, then most people will havepersistent low back and buttock pain, with numbness and tingling in the legs and feet. When thesymptoms of a herniated disc do not respond to physical therapy, medications, or improve withtime, then surgery can be an option. This type of spine surgery is called a "discectomy" and it isused to remove the part of the herniated disc that is pinching or putting pressure on the nerve rootsin order to relieve the pain and numbness. With traditional disc surgery, spine surgeons make anincision in the center of the back or neck at the same level as the herniated disc and then strip themuscles of the back away from the bones of the spinal column in order to be able to see the areawhere the disc has herniated. Once the herniated disc has been removed, the muscles are putback in place and the surgeon closes the incision.





How is surgery with the METRx™ System Different?With the new METRx™ System, surgeons can perform this type of discectomy surgery with aspecial type of muscle splitting technique that minimizes the amount of muscle damage that isnecessary in order to be able to see where the herniated disc is located and safely remove theherniated fragments while protecting the nerve roots and spinal cord. In comparison to a standarddiscectomy, a micro surgery discectomy performed with the METRx™ System causes much lesspain after the surgery, and allows patients to leave the hospital earlier, and return to work and theirdaily activities sooner. This type of surgery also makes rehabilitation and physical therapy afterspine surgery much easier because there has been less damage done to the muscles that moveand protect the spine, which leads to less scar tissue formation.

How does the METRx™ System Work?The main advantage of the METRx™ system in comparison to a tradition discectomy is a smallerincision and less damage to the muscles of the spinal column. This advantage is achieved byallowing the surgeon to expose the area where the herniated disc is located without making a largeincision. A discectomy that is done with the METRx™ system begins with the surgeon preciselylocalizing the level of the herniated disc with a very small needle that is inserted through themuscles of the back down to the area where the disc fragments are located. The correct position ofthis needle is confirmed with a special type of X-ray machine that is used in an operating roomcalled a flouroscope. After the correct position of the needle has been confirmed with fluoroscopic





guidance, a series of soft-tissue dilators are used to create a small tunnel that measures 16mm indiameter (less than ¾ of an inch) through the muscles of the back so that a hollow tube can beinserted down to the level of the spinal column. This tube, which is called a tubular retractor,contains a very special video camera with a magnifying lens and a fiberoptic light source thatilluminates the tissues and relays the images to a separate video screen so that the surgeon canoperate safely.


METRx minimally-invasive spine surgery in Croatia

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