Epiduroscopy has been extensively developed over the last few years and is now an important part of modern international medicine in both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in spinal column surgery.
A new, decisive method of epiduroscopy according to Prof. Babayan expands the spectrum of epiduroscopic procedures and opens up basic, innovative possibilities of spinal column surgery:
The most important novelties of epiduroscopy according to Prof. Babayan are:
- on the application of newly conceived, technical devices and instruments,
- the specialized MIBRAR® methodology successfully practiced by Prof. Babayan for years and
- the possible combination of epiduroscopy according to Prof. Babayan with the existing techniques of microinvasive spinal column surgery according to MIBRAR®, which lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic results in their symbiosis.
The technical development according to Prof. Babayan provides a further developed micro-dimensioned size of the epiduroscope with a very powerful camera system which is not only flexible in the spinal canal but can be controlled in a controlled manner.
This controllable micro-epiduroscope achieves significantly greater depths and narrower spaces within the spinal canal and epidural space, thus extending the optical examination and diagnosis as well as the therapeutic range of action. Correspondingly, micro-dimensioned working instruments, which can be guided by the shaft of the micro-epiduroscope, substantially support the surgeon’s work.
A special side effect of the technically expanded micro epiduroscope according to Prof. Babayan is the lower tissue injury risks due to the minimally dimensioned devices and instruments. This innovative epiduroscopic approach makes an outpatient procedure possible without anesthesia, which is an extraordinary advantage for the patient, especially in anesthesia and drug incompatibilities.
In addition, the introduction as well as the control of the course of the controllable micro-epiduroscope must no longer be carried out solely by the radiographic X-ray images but is supported by the MIBRAR-OP Navigation™ system on a mechanical as well as computer-controlled level (3D software, Planning system, Cyber-Navi-Hand™).
Also in this context, one recognizes an advantage for the patient in the lower radiation load during the overall intervention. The technical advancement of epiduroscopy according to Prof. Babayan makes it clear that modern spinal surgery offers decisive perspectives for the treatment of more complex pathologies, which for technical as well as methodological reasons were difficult or impossible to treat.
In the case of the MIBRAR® method, it is important to emphasize that only the body’s own substances are used, and that no medicines or other body-borne active ingredients are used, which means less stress and a lower risk for the patient.
It is a world-wide novelty that according to the MIBRAR® method it is possible to obtain an autologous, regenerative concentrate from the conditioned blood plasma of the patient, with a high concentration of anti-inflammatory factors, growth factors and regenerative substances according to the CGF method.
The CGF (concentrated growth factors) system is a procedure for the production of platelet concentrates of the second generation for medicine. CGF is an internationally recognized, scientifically supported therapy for several years. It cannot be compared with the usual pure blood treatment, since in the case of CGF treatment, plasma with enriched growth factors, anti-inflammatory factors and regenerative substances is specifically used.
The treatment concept with autologous growth factors has been applied internationally in more than 11,000 cases over the last 10 years. Relevant side effects or intolerance reactions have not been observed. Since the treatment is carried out with portions of the patient’s own blood, allergic reactions also remained as expected. The use of autologous plasma, growth factors and regenerative substances leads ultimately to the morphological regeneration of the degenerated body tissue as well as to the macroscopic reconstruction of the missing tissue due to degenerative processes and trauma.
Because of the special epiduroscopic application after MIBRAR® in the spinal canal and epidural space, very positive and long-term results are achieved – in the case of an outpatient procedure which usually takes place without anesthesia.
The MIBRAR® method used in epiduroscopy according to Prof. Babayan has an excellent and long-lasting mechanical, bio-chemical, regenerative and reconstructive effect, without side effects.
The combination of the flexible, controllable micro-epiduroscope with the use of existing techniques of micro-invasive spinal surgery, e.g. the placement of a portal using a rigid endoscope – this combination allows the therapeutic treatment of complex pathologies in hard-to-reach areas of the epidural space under optical control using the micro-epiduroscope and the MIBRAR Navigation System™.
A targeted and controlled use of endoscopes, working appliances and applied active ingredients is thus possible. Epidurally, the entire operation can be controlled. The symbiosis of proven and new surgical techniques after MIBRAR® opens the door to numerous complex therapeutic treatments of modern spinal surgery.