Revision Spinal Surgery
Revision Spinal Surgery
Revision spinal surgery (also known as re-operations) is when a surgeon has to go back into an area where prior surgery has taken place.
It may be a repeat surgery, where the same procedure is being performed again. It could also be a revision of another kind, such as when a fusion is done at a level where previously a discectomy was performed.
REVISION SPINAL SURGERY RIGHT FOR ME?
Why is revision spinal surgery performed?
Revision spinal surgery is performed when the surgeon has to correct a previous surgery that did not alleviate pain in the spine, misdiagnosis, or the previous surgery created other complications.
Revision surgery, when indicated, is more complicated than “virgin” or first-time around spinal surgery. The anatomy is distorted, and some of the regional landmarks are often missing or altered. There is often extensive scarring of bone to the nerve, even within the nerves themselves. Prior placement of hardware (screws, rods, cages, or in other words, anything artificial) makes the re-operation even more complicated, as there are many different and often incompatible systems, various types of screws, and locking mechanisms.
Revisions require significant specialized skills, whether it’s going back in for a “simple” repeat diskectomy (with about 5-10 times the incidence of injury to the covering of the nerves, or the dura) or a more complicated spinal fusion revision or extension. Dr. Jenkins has pioneered and improved various techniques for managing these and other complications based on his training and experience.