Surgeons at Northside Hospital have successfully completed the health system’s first ultra-minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery to treat back pain.
Dr. Vamsi Kancherla, orthopedic surgeon, completed the procedure May 22 at Northside Hospital Gwinnett using Arthrex endoscopic spine technology.
About endoscopic spine surgery: The technique uses a pencil-sized endoscope to access small areas of the spine through a tiny incision. This eliminates the need for the large incision required for traditional back surgery, minimizes disruption and damage to nearby muscles and reduces the need to remove bone.
Performed by an orthopedic spine surgeon or a neurosurgeon, the advanced procedure can often be performed in an outpatient setting, potentially allowing patients to go home the same day.
Why this matters: Roughly 8 out of 10 adults experience back pain at some point in their lives, whether from an injury or a chronic condition. Patients may experience pain or discomfort, numbness, weakness and muscle stiffness.
Endoscopic spine surgery helps patients heal faster with less pain and quicker return to regular activity.
What they’re saying: At Northside Hospital, leading experts in orthopedics are using new technologies to provide comprehensive joint and spine care — from conservative and nonsurgical therapies and pain management, to minimally invasive, robot-assisted joint replacements, including outpatient surgery, in which patients often leave the hospital within a few hours of surgery.
- “Unlike traditional open spine surgery, which often requires large incisions and extended rehabilitation, endoscopic techniques use small portals and advanced visualization to target pathology with precision,” said Dr. Kancherla. “For our patients, this means faster healing, less disruption to daily life, and improved outcomes — with the same high standard of care."
- “The expansion of Northside Hospital’s surgical services reflects our commitment to offer more minimally invasive options for our patients,” added Mark Thomas, director of surgical services at Northside Hospital Gwinnett and Duluth, “and help them return to their activities as quickly as possible.”
Learn more about orthopedic surgery at Northside Hospital.
