Spine Surgery in Your 70s and 80s: Why Minimally Invasive Options Are Safer

Spinal stenosis is most common in older adults. However, when patients in their 70s or 80s are told they need spine surgery, it often causes immense anxiety. They worry that their heart, lungs, or general health cannot withstand the trauma of a major operation, leaving them feeling resigned to living the rest of their lives in severe pain or a wheelchair.

Fortunately, the advent of advanced interventional spine techniques has radically changed the safety profile of spinal decompression for the elderly population.

Yes, a LESS™ invasive approach is generally considered much safer for elderly patients because it involves significantly less blood loss, requires shorter anesthesia time, and carries a much lower risk of hospital-acquired infections.

Protecting the Aging Body During Surgery

A LESS™ approach minimizes the systemic stress placed on an older patient's body in several critical ways:

· Cardiovascular Safety: Traditional open fusion involves major blood loss and tissue trauma, stressing the heart. A LESS™ approach is highly precise and virtually bloodless.

· Faster Mobilization: The longer an elderly patient stays in a hospital bed, the higher the risk for blood clots and pneumonia. LESS™ allows patients to get up and walk the exact same day.

· Anesthesia Options: Because it is less traumatic, it can often be performed under local or twilight anesthesia, bypassing the heavy risks of general anesthesia.

THE ELID™ ADVANTAGE: LOCAL ANESTHESIA CAPABILITIES

The Instructions for Use (IFU) for the ELiD™ system specifically note that the procedure should be performed under local anesthesia at a minimum. This less-invasive capability makes it an ideal, tissue-sparing solution for older patients who need relief from stenosis but cannot risk the complications of traditional open surgery. Reference: Rosen et al., "Minimally invasive lumbar spinal decompression in the elderly," Global Spine Journal.