For years, physicians are performing surgeries of spine using conventional methods that are associated with long incisions, cutting and removal of muscle from the spine, and considerable post-surgical pain. All these factors make patients’ experience of surgery daunting and exhaustive.
A basic tenet of surgery is to effectively treat pathology with minimal disturbance of normal anatomy: leaving “the smallest footprint” and developing procedures through minimally invasive methods that allow patients to return to their regular active lives with fewer obstructions and pain.
MAST (Minimal Access Spinal Technologies)
MAST or Minimal Access Spinal Technologies potentially help to successfully treat spinal problems without any damage to a patient's body tissues. MAST utilizes imaging systems, tiny cameras and small skin incisions to treat spine disorders while achieving the same surgical objectives as open surgeries.
Benefits of MAST Procedures
The most common benefits of MAST procedures for patients are - quicker return to normal activities, less pain after surgery, less damage to muscle and skin, less blood loss, easier rehabilitation post-surgery and smaller scars.
Types of Spinal Problems which can be managed with MAST
Fractures of spine - Fractures of spine due to a sudden fall, accidents etc. can be adequately managed with percutaneous pedicle screws and stab incisions (minor cuts). Patients are relieved of pain and can be allowed to sit or walk immediately after the surgery.
Old age leads to weakening of bones either due to age-related osteoporosis or some underlying disease of bone which can lead to fractures of spine, these can be adequately managed with the technique of balloon kyphoplasty under x-ray machines to provide patients with strength, stability and relieve pain of fracture immediately.
Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc - Prolapsed intervertebral disc or commonly known as the problem of disc which causes excruciating pain in legs and has severe functional and psychological impact on patients, can be adequately managed with a 2.5 cm skin incision, microscopes and MAST. This type of procedure has become a day care surgery with patient being discharged and free of pain on the same or the next day.
Lumbar Canal Stenosis - Lumbar canal stenosis is a disease of elderly in which due to progressing age-related degeneration people develop radiating pain in lower limbs which typically increases with walking and reduces with rest. It leads to disturbance in quality of life as the patient gradually loses the ability to walk. It is a rampant problem present in our elderly and if non-operative treatment fails, it can be managed with minimally invasive unilateral laminectomy and bilateral decompression in which with a 2.5 cm skin incision, spinal nerves in both the limbs are decompressed from one side.
We at Sarvodaya’s Centre for Spine Surgery have both the infrastructure and skill to provide our patients the benefits of minimal access spine surgeries using the latest techniques and advanced technologies. Our physicians are highly skilled in managing simple to severe cases of spine disorders using the latest MAST procedures. We offer a comprehensive patient management system & program with all types of treatment modalities under one roof.
