Can I Get An Infection From Laser Back Surgery

One of the biggest risks associated with surgery is infection at the site of the incision. Since microbes are everywhere, there is no way to eliminate this risk completely. In the past, the possibility of infection was a deciding factor in whether some people sought surgical treatment for back pain. However, cutting-edge procedures such as laser back surgery greatly reduce the chance of infection, because advances in technology have greatly reduced the invasiveness of the procedure. While it is possible to get an infection after any surgery, the risk of infection after laser back surgery approaches zero.

Risk of Infection

Traditional open back surgery carries about a 4% risk of infection. There are several reasons for this:

• These surgeries take place in a hospital, with a huge number of patients and faculty. MRSA and other serious infections spread quickly in hospitals, so it is best to avoid a stay if possible.
• Many surgeons prescribe to the old thinking that a cold operating room is more sterile. In reality, when the patient is comfortable during surgery, the immune system stays stronger.
• Open back surgery involves a large incision along the spine. This large wound is basically a large area on which microbes are able to proliferate.
• During the long recovery time, it is hard for patients to take healthy lifestyle steps to boost their immune system.

Happily, it is no longer necessary for most patients to take such risks in order to live without back pain. Laser back surgery allows routine procedures such as discectomy to be performed using only one or two incisions made by a small needle, leaving the skin, bone, connective tissue, and muscle intact. This also prevents loss of blood and scarring.

In contrast to traditional open back surgery, laser back surgery clinics are seeing an infection rate of about 0.07% - a mere fraction of the rate of traditional procedures. To put that in perspective, one in every 25 open back surgery patients will develop an infection. About one in every 1,400 laser back surgery patients will develop an infection.

Preventing an Infection

Even with this greatly reduced risk, it is important to take steps to prevent infection no matter what surgery you are receiving. Following these guidelines before and after your procedure can help reduce your risk of infection even further:

• Before and after the surgery, eat a healthy diet and get adequate sleep. This reduces the stress on your body, bolstering the immune system.
• Request to stay warm during the procedure. Since laser back surgery uses only local anesthesia, you will be able to tell your doctor if you are cold before he starts.
• After the surgery, be conscientious about taking the full course of any antibiotics you are prescribed. Even if you have no symptoms, it is always important to take the full course in order to prevent the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant microbes.
• Do not touch your incision unless necessary, and follow your doctor's instructions regarding how to care for the wound.

Some patients may have conditions which affect the immune system, causing their risk of infection to be greater. Your doctor will take your medical history into account when making a post-operative plan.

The risk of infection approaches zero when you choose a minimally invasive procedure such as laser back surgery, and take good care of your healing body. While not all back problems can be treated with laser surgery, it can be used on most routine issues such as herniated discs and stenosis. With modern treatments carrying such reduced risks, there is no reason for patients who need surgery to avoid it out of fear of side-effects.

To schedule a consultation about treatment for your back pain, please call the Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery & Pain Center at 347-380-9138