Treatment

Outpatient Spine Surgery

What Is Outpatient Spine Surgery?

• Lumbar microdiskectomy
• Cervical disk replacement 
• Anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF)
• Lumbar laminectomy
• Spinal decompression

How Did Outpatient Spine Surgery Become Possible?

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Treatment

Endoscopic Diskectomy

Treatment

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Treatment

Deciding whether to have spine surgery

Advanced Anesthesia and Pain Management

• Regional anesthesia, such as spinal and epidural blocks, which target specific areas of the body.
• Peripheral nerve blocks, used in procedures like lumbar spine surgery, which numb the legs or lower back area, allowing for a more localized (limited) and effective anesthetic approach.
• Multimodal pain management, which combines nerve blocks (local anesthesia) with analgesic medications (e.g., acetaminophen) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs  (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) to provide continuous pain relief. 

Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques

Patient Selection

• Age and general physical health, including existing medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or diabetes.
• Mental health and cognitive function, as patients need to be able to follow post-operative instructions and recognize complications early.
• Home support. A stable home environment with family or caregiver assistance is essential to ensure that patients can safely recover without complications.

Early Mobilization and Post-Operative Therapy

Where Is Outpatient Spine Surgery Performed?

• Hospital operating rooms. Historically, most spine surgeries have been performed in hospital ORs.
• Ambulatory, or outpatient, surgery centers. Ambulatory surgery centers have been around in the U.S. for several decades. Some ambulatory surgery centers are housed within hospitals but function independently, while others are free-standing facilities. Some surgeons who are on the faculty at a hospital may choose to perform some or all of their outpatient procedures at an ambulatory surgical center.

Some spine surgeries performed in a hospital operating room can now be done on an inpatient or outpatient basis.

What Is an Ambulatory (Outpatient) Surgery Center (ASC)?

An ambulatory (outpatient) surgery center.

• A preoperative area to get you ready for surgery
• Operating rooms where surgery is performed
• Recovery areas for after surgery

Is Outpatient Spine Surgery Safe?

• Your age and general health
• Existing medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease or diabetes
• Availability of a reliable support system at home

What are the Benefits of Outpatient Spine Surgery?

• Overall risk of hospital-acquired infections is significantly lower, contributing to safer outcomes.
• Outpatient procedures tend to have lower overall costs compared to inpatient surgery, making them a more economical option.

How Should I Prepare for Outpatient Spine Surgery?

• Prepare your home for recovery by setting up a comfortable rest area with easy access to essential items.
• Fill any prescribed medications, including pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, before your surgery.
• Follow your surgeon's instructions about fasting and taking medications on the day of surgery. Your doctor may tell you to take your medications as usual or to skip certain medications that morning.

Where Can I Get More Information About Outpatient Spine Surgery?