Over the last few years, there have been numerous advancements in technology that make spine surgery much less invasive than ever. Dr. Ooi is highly trained in many of the most advanced treatment options, including the following:
Robotic surgery – also called robot-assisted surgery – allows Dr. Ooi to perform many kinds of complex procedures with more precision and control than traditional methods. Using a specialized robotic arm, Dr. Ooi can insert his spinal fixation into position with the highest degree of accuracy. Even in challenging situations with distorted anatomy due to revision, tumor, infection, or fracture, he can maximize his screw placement technique to get better fixation through smaller incisions with less blood loss. Dr. Ooi controls the arm at all times and uses high-definition stereotactic cameras to monitor the position of his robotic instruments guiding them to the optimal position.
Robotic surgery lets Dr. Ooi perform delicate and complex procedures that may have been difficult or impossible with other methods. And because robotic surgery is minimally invasive, other benefits include:
Similar to a car or mobile phone GPS, image-guided spine surgery continuously tracks locations of the patient’s anatomy while displaying them on a monitor before, during, and after surgery in real-time, three-dimensional images of the patient’s spine in relation to the surgical instruments he is using.
With image-guided technology, Dr. Ooi can get a better view of the patient’s anatomy, which, in turn, gives greater surgical accuracy and an increased ability to implement minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Dr. Ooi utilises the highly evolved 7D Surgical Flash™ Navigation System, a fast, accurate, and radiation-free tool to assist with the safe and precise placement of spinal implants. With the 7D Surgical Flash Navigation System, Dr. Ooi accesses special cameras to analyse the surface of the spine in mere seconds, which allows him to better visualize and define the patient’s anatomy while operating.
The advantages of using image-guided technology are quite remarkable. It allows for smaller incisions and the treatment of more spinal disorders than in the past.
Dr. Ooi is one of the few surgeons in the region who performs the minimally invasive microdiscectomy technique. He uses it to relieve pressure on the spinal nerve column caused by a herniated disc. The goal of the procedure is to decrease pain and allow you to regain normal movement and function.
Dr. Ooi performs the minimally invasive microdiscectomy using a special microscope to view the disc and nerves. Using this microscope gives Dr. Ooi a larger view, which, in turn, allows him to make a smaller incision. The smaller the incision, the less damage is made to surrounding tissue.
The goal of a microdiscectomy is to remove the disc material placing pressure on the nerves by the herniated disc. Since the procedure is performed under general anesthesia, you’ll be unconscious during the entire procedure.
With the patient lying face down, Dr. Ooi makes a small incision directly over the affected disc and removes the damaged tissue, then closes the incision with sutures. Patients are typically discharged the same day or the morning after an overnight stay in the hospital.
Because there is a smaller incision, there is less muscle and tissue damage. This means: