The spine is one of the most important parts of the body which is responsible for movement and support. Today’s sedentary and fast paced lifestyle leads to a variety of spinal diseases, so be sure to respond to the first signals even if the pain is tolerable. Seek medical advice to ensure proper treatment in a timely manner.
Our clinic performs spinal neurosurgical operations if other pharmacological and invasive pain treatment methods do not yield a positive result.
Intervertebral disc surgery
Intervertebral disc surgery is necessary if you develop paralysis of the leg muscles - a "sagging foot"; there is a risk of irreversible nerve damage.
When the bladder or rectal sphincter is paralyzed (you have difficulty urinating and defecating), surgery should be performed immediately.
The choice of the method of surgical treatment, the size of the incision and the scope of the operation are determined by the patient's age, psychological condition, complexity, duration of the disease, the size of the lesions, data from special examinations, and other factors.
Before the operation, the surgeon will explain this to you in detail. During the consultation with him or her, you will be able to evaluate all the positive and negative aspects of the chosen treatment.
The following neurosurgical spine surgeries are performed in our clinic:
Microdiscectomy
Intervertebral disc surgery is necessary if you develop paralysis of the leg muscles - a "sagging foot"; there is a risk of irreversible nerve damage. When the bladder or rectal sphincter is paralyzed (you have difficulty urinating and defecating), surgery should be performed immediately. The choice of the method of surgical treatment, the size of the incision and the scope of the operation are determined by the patient's age, psychological condition, complexity, duration of the disease, the size of the lesions, data from special examinations, and other factors. Before the operation, the surgeon will explain this to you in detail. During the consultation with him or her, you will be able to evaluate all the positive and negative aspects of the chosen treatment.
Nucleoplasty
Minimally invasive surgery is a therapeutic operation of the intervertebral disc, during which a special needle is inserted into the damaged intervertebral disc under X-ray control. This can usually be the lumbar or cervical spine. An electrode is inserted through a special needle. After experimental stimulation, radiofrequency destruction is performed to ensure that the electrode position is secure. The principle is that when the structure of the intervertebral disc is broken down, a coagulation occurs, during which the intradiscal pressure of the disc decreases (within the disc itself). As a result, the intervertebral disc, previously convex and touching or irritating the nerve root, contracts, relaxes, and the patient improves both functional and clinical condition, therefore feels no more pain. Minimally invasive surgery is classified as a one-day surgery. It is an outpatient operation under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia with general sedation. This type of surgery takes up to one hour, depending on the patient's clinical case.
Vertebroplastika
Vertebroplastika taikoma pacientams, sergantiems osteoporoze, kai dėl sumažėjusio kaulų tankio įvyksta skausmingi slankstelių sužemėjimai ar lūžiai, taip pat pacientams, turintiems onkologinių susirgimų, tokių kaip hemangiomos ar solitarinės mielomos. Operacijos metu, naudojant rentgeno kontrolę, į pažeistą slankstelį pro specialią adatą suleidžiamas medicininis cementas, kuris sukietėja ir atkuria slankstelio stabilumą. Siekiama dviejų tikslų: sumažinti skausmą ir stabilizuoti slankstelį, kad būtų išvengta tolimesnių lūžių bei nervinių struktūrų pažeidimo grėsmės. Tai ambulatorinė procedūra, kurios metu taikoma vietinė nejautra su sedacija. Priklausomai nuo klinikinio atvejo, operacija trunka iki vienos valandos. Clinic Agatas stuburo neurochirurgai vertebroplastiką skiria tais atvejais, kai kiti medikamentiniai ir invaziniai gydymo būdai neduoda pakankamo rezultato.
Treatment of vertebral and hemangiomas
Vertebroplasty is another method classified as minimally invasive surgery performed without incision.
When a special needle from the back passes through the vertebrae sprout, the needle is inserted into the spinal cord under X-ray control at the part where the vertebral body is connected with the arch, and a special polymer is then injected through that needle. Once the material stiffens, it immediately stabilizes the spine.
In cases of osteoporosis, the vertebrae of the spine may break, causing great pain.
After performing the operation the heavy pain goes away, so the effect is usually very positive.
The other group of patients include people with various oncological diseases of the spinal cord, for example, hemangioma, certain forms of solitary myeloma and other blood diseases.
It is also possible to perform the operation for several purposes. One is to reduce or eliminate pain, the other is to stabilize the vertebrae to prevent further fracture, deformation and the risk of damage to the nerve fiber on the spinal cord.
Peripheral Nerve Release Surgery
In medicine, peripheral nerve release surgery is known as open peripheral nerve neurolysis. The primary goal of this procedure is to free and relieve the peripheral nerve or its trunk from adhesions and other factors that compress the nerve, disrupting its blood flow and normal function.
The assessment of initial complaints and the development of a treatment plan require the consultation of a neurologist and/or neurosurgeon to enable professionals to assess the need for surgical treatment.
During the consultation, doctors will examine the progression of symptoms, the course of the disease, and the links with other conditions in the body.
The surgery is performed under local or general anesthesia, and sometimes a combination of both. The type of anesthesia is decided with the surgeon prior to the procedure.
The operation price includes:
INTERESTING TO KNOW
"It is a mistake to think that when you visit a neurosurgeon, you will immediately have to lie down on the operating table. Usually, intervertebral disc surgery is prescribed for only 10 percent of patients who consult a neurosurgeon. It is important to emphasize that surgery is a measure that is taken only when conservative measures can no longer help." - neurosurgeon med.m.dr. Bronius Špakauskas.
Frequently asked questions
Where are spinal hernia surgeries performed in Kaunas?
Clinic Agatas in Kaunas is a specialized spine surgery clinic that performs more than 100 spine surgeries per year. The surgeries are performed by three experienced neurosurgeons: med. m.
dr. Bronius Špakauskas, who has more than 35 years of experience and has performed over 10,000 surgeries,
Deividas Stukas and Rimvydas Balandžiūnas. The latter neurosurgeons also work in a state hospital, so their combined surgical experience is extremely extensive, each performing more than 200 surgeries per year. The cost of a microdiscectomy (hernia) surgery with
treatment and inpatient care starts at €4,500.
Which neurosurgeons in Kaunas perform spinal surgeries?
The team of neurosurgeons at Clinic Agatas consists of neurosurgeons: med. m. dr. Bronius
Špakauskas, Deividas Stukas and Rimvydas Balandžiūnas. Doctor Bronius Špakauskas
is one of the pioneers of minimally invasive spine surgery in Lithuania. Doctors
Deividas Stukas and Rimvydas Balandžiūnas perform an average of 200-250
operations per year, which reflects their high surgical experience. All specialists regularly participate in
international training and conferences.
Where are spinal surgeries performed in Kaunas?
Clinic Agatas specializes in minimally invasive spinal surgeries:
microdiscectomy (from €4,500), nucleoplasty (€3,600) and vertebroplasty (from €3,300). These procedures are performed with or without small incisions, and are performed under X-ray control using a specialized microscope, which ensures accuracy and reduces the risk of complications. After microdiscectomy, the patient undergoes primary rehabilitation at the clinic
the day after surgery.
Where in Kaunas are spine surgeries performed safely and effectively?
Spinal surgeries at Clinic Agatas are performed in a modern neurosurgical operating room, using X-ray control during each procedure. The clinic operates day surgery, so patients can receive comprehensive care before and after surgery. If surgery is needed urgently, you can take advantage of a bonus and have the surgery performed within 5 working days (bonus €600) or within 10 working days (bonus €300). After surgery, a follow-up visit is free.
Is rehabilitation necessary after spinal surgery and where is it performed?
Yes, rehabilitation is a prerequisite for a good long-term result. Primary rehabilitation
begins at Clinic Agatas in Kaunas the day after the operation. Subsequent rehabilitation
courses can be continued at partner rehabilitation facilities. The clinic employs physiotherapists
who create an individual exercise program. Post-operative follow-up visits are
free and are performed at the clinic.