Spine surgeons at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson have introduced a minimally invasive surgical procedure for treating back pain. The new approach uses endoscopic techniques, allowing for smaller incisions and less disruption to surrounding tissue compared to traditional open spine surgery.
“Patients usually go home the same day, compared to one or more nights in the hospital with traditional surgery,” said Abduljabbar Alhammoud, MD, spine surgeon with Banner – University Medicine. “Most are back to normal activities within a few days, whereas open spine surgery recovery can take several months.”
Eric Sebring was the first patient at the Tucson facility to undergo this endoscopic spine procedure in June. Sebring had previously experienced significant limitations following a full spinal fusion in 2022 that required an extended hospital stay and long-term use of mobility aids. After developing another herniated disc, he opted for the less invasive option recommended by Dr. Alhammoud.
“After my first surgery, I couldn’t move or bend for quite a while because of the pain in my back,” said Sebring.
Sebring reported positive outcomes from the recent procedure: “I was out of the hospital within about five hours with zero pain. I could move and walk with no pain, which I didn’t think was possible with back surgery.”
The minimally invasive technique is currently only available at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson among Banner facilities in Arizona. Few other providers in southern Arizona offer this type of uniportal endoscopic spine surgery.
“This is the innovative direction spine surgery is heading,” said Dr. Alhammoud. “Endoscopy is a major step toward safer, more efficient and more patient-friendly spine surgery.”
The procedure may be suitable for patients suffering from herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or pinched nerves in various regions of the spine. It can also be performed using local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia, potentially reducing risks for patients with certain health conditions.
Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and its counterpart Banner – University Medical Center South are part of Banner – University Medicine’s academic network affiliated with the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. Both centers serve as teaching hospitals and offer specialty clinics as well as pediatric care through Diamond Children’s Medical Center. Banner Health operates across six states including Arizona.
