Skip to main content

Endoscopic Spine Surgery
Long Island

Home | Treatment Options | Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Cutting-Edge treatment for back and neck pain

Endoscopic spine surgery (ESS) is one of the most effective cutting-edge treatments for back and neck pain. It’s a type of minimally-invasive spine surgery, similar to robotic spine surgery, used to treat a wide range of spinal problems while ensuring quick recovery with minimal pain and downtime. Dr. Brian McHugh is a board-certified neurological surgeon specializing in the latest minimally invasive surgical procedures, including ESS.

Dr. McHugh uses the latest diagnostic methods to identify the root cause of your spinal problems, following which he curates a personalized treatment plan consisting of medications, physical therapy, and other non-invasive treatments. Dr. McHugh only recommends spine surgery if all other treatments fail and the underlying problem continues worsening. Contact us for top-of-the-line endoscopic spine surgery on Long Island.

patient needing endoscopic spine surgery in long island

What is endoscopic spine surgery?

Endoscopic spine surgery (ESS) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure wherein micro-incisions (smaller than an inch), small tubular systems, and an endoscope are used to visualize the surgical region. Endoscopic options are often used to treat problems in other parts of the body, such as the gastrointestinal regions. However, recent advances in optics and technologies have made endoscopic procedures possible for spinal problems as well.

Endoscopic spine surgery is widely considered the gold standard in spine surgeries because it causes minimal pain and involves minimal downtime, allowing the patient to resume normal activities faster than traditional surgeries. ESS also helps patients regain optimal and natural spine mobility after the recovery. Furthermore, since ESS can be performed under local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia, it also involves a limited risk of complications.

What happens during the endoscopic spine surgery?

During your endoscopic spine surgery on Long Island, you have to lie face down on the surgical table. The relevant region is cleaned, and local anesthesia is administered to prevent pain or discomfort. Once you’re prepared, the surgeon creates a micro-incision smaller than an inch in the surgical site, through which he inserts a tubular trocar.

Depending on your specific condition, the surgeon may access the spine using an intralaminar or a transforaminal approach. The intralaminar approach means accessing the spine from the back between two laminae. The transforaminal approach means accessing the spine from the back or side and into the nerve passageway.

After accessing the spine, a tiny camera will be inserted through the trocar to visualize the targeted region. The camera delivers real-time images of the surgical site to a monitor in the surgeon’s view. The real-time visual feed allows the surgeon to complete the surgical procedure with the greatest accuracy. Once the procedure is completed, the trocar and camera are removed.

Schedule a
Consultation

CONTACT US

“Dr. McHugh was really clear about my situation. The people at his office are friendly and the place is very nice and clean.”

What are the benefits of endoscopic spine surgery?

  • Micro-sized incisions.
  • Minimal trauma to the surrounding skin.
  • Limited loss of blood.
  • No removal of bone tissues or muscles.
  • The procedure concludes within an hour.
  • Performed under local anesthesia.
  • Negligible risk of complications.
  • Minimal postoperative pain and discomfort.
  • Faster recovery than traditional surgeries.
  • Restores natural spinal mobility and flexibility.

Am I a candidate for endoscopic spine surgery?

During your initial consultation, Dr. McHugh will run several diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of your problems to determine if you’re a suitable candidate for endoscopic spine surgery. The ESS procedure is suitable for several underlying spinal problems, including spinal stenosis, sciatica pain, disc degeneration, herniated discs, arthritic facet joints, etc.

Dr. McHugh only recommends spine surgery as a last resort if non-invasive treatments (medications, physical therapy, corticosteroids, etc.) fail to yield results or if the underlying condition continues worsening. In most cases, non-invasive treatments can successfully provide neck and back pain relief. Surgical intervention is only necessary in the most severe cases.

Contact us to learn more about endoscopic spine surgery on Long Island.

Schedule a
Consultation

631-780-4470

CONTACT US
Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at 631-780-4470.
CONTACT US
close slider

    SEND US A MESSAGE

    631-780-4470
    DIRECTIONS