There has been a steady rise in the number of minimally invasive spine (MIS) surgeries
in the past decade, mostly attributed to advanced MIS techniques, improvements in
pain management, and a variety of economic reasons as well.
Patrick Kim, MD, assistant professor and endoscopic spine surgeon for the USF Health
Morsani College of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, recently
joined USF Health as a fellowship-trained endoscopic spine surgeon and provides one
of the newest minimally invasive option for patients who potentially need spine surgery.
Dr. Kim said he puts a new meaning to the phrase “I’ve got your back.”
Endoscopic spine surgery is known to be an extremely safe procedure. An endoscope,
a medical device with a light attached, is used to look inside a body cavity or organ.
With spinal procedures, Dr. Kim uses an incision smaller than a dime guide in the
device to look at the specific area of the spine that needs repair. Smaller incisions
significantly reduce the likelihood of infection and other iatrogenic conditions,
conditions caused because of medical examination or treatment. These smaller incisions
also mean smaller cuts, so less damage, to back muscles, leading to less pain and
faster recovery for patients.
Dr. Kim said although endoscopic spine surgery is still relatively new, it has become
increasingly popular for two key reasons: faster recovery time, and lower likelihood
of wound infection and associated problems. Most patients go home the same day following
their procedure if no other co-morbidities exist. The chances of patients experiencing
complications following their surgery is “nearly zero,” Dr. Kim said.
Patrick Kim, MD, assistant professor and endoscopic spine surgeon for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair.
Another key benefit of the procedure is the reduced need for opioids for pain management,
he said.
Although endoscopic spine surgery is safe and effective, it should also be a last
option for patients. Dr. Kim only recommends surgery after thorough evaluations of
the patient and their symptoms. If surgery isn’t necessary, he’ll often refer patients
to the chiropractic practice at USF Health or injection treatment.
“Any type of spine surgery should be a last option,” he said. “My job is to evaluate
the patient and point them in the right direction.”
Endoscopic spine surgery is used to cure many types of chronic lower back and hip
conditions. Dr. Kim said two of the most common conditions treated by the procedure
are:
- Herniated disc – when a fragment of the disc nucleus is pushed out of the ring-shaped canal into
the spinal canal through a tear or rupture.
- Spinal stenosis – narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower part of the back, which can cause pressure
on the spinal cord or the nerves that go from the spinal cord to the muscles.
The head of an endoscope is smaller than a dime. Smaller incisions mean less muscle damage, lower chance of infection, and faster recovery post surgery.
Dr. Kim started to familiarize himself with the procedure during his seven-year neurosurgery
residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He found the procedure
was offered more internationally than in the United States. He spent time with surgeons
in Asia to learn everything he could about the procedure. When he returned to the
U.S., he did an additional year of fellowship training at the University of Washington
Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center to become a fellowship-trained endoscopic
spine surgeon.
With this innovative approach to spine surgeries, Dr. Kim decided to build his practice
at USF Health and Tampa General Hospital, the primary teaching hospital of the USF
Health Morsani College of Medicine. His goals for the department extend beyond patient
care.
“My goal is to train more U.S.-based spine surgeons who have the capability to do
these procedures,” he said.
Story, photos and video by Freddie Coleman