Orthopedic Surgery

Clinical Departments

Micro Endoscopic Discectomy (MED)

In most cases, lumbar disc herniation improves with conservative treatment. However, surgery is indicated in cases of severe lower limb pain, muscle weakness, or lack of improvement after three months.

Our department utilizes a Full HD spinal endoscopy system to perform safer MED procedures. This advanced system is available in only a limited number of hospitals in Japan.

This procedure involves minimal bleeding, requires no sutures, and allows patients to begin walking the next day. Hospital stays are typically within one week, with optional rehabilitation support.

Key Features

• Minimal Incision：Approximately 2 cm
• Reduced Physical Burden：Minimal muscle damage
• High Visibility：Bright and magnified surgical field
• Wide Range：Expanded view using oblique scope

This technique is especially suitable for athletes and younger patients seeking faster recovery and minimal scarring.

Micro Endoscopic Laminectomy (MEL)

Lumbar spinal stenosis is caused by narrowing of the spinal canal due to aging. MEL is a minimally invasive surgical technique that uses a spinal endoscope to relieve this narrowing.

The main advantage of MEL is its low invasiveness. With a small incision of approximately 2 cm, patients benefit from reduced pain, faster recovery, and lower infection risk, enabling early discharge.

However, MEL may not be suitable for extensive stenosis or cases requiring spinal fixation. It is typically applied to one or two affected levels.

Compared to MED, MEL involves more bone removal, which may slightly increase bleeding and operative time. Nevertheless, it remains significantly less invasive than traditional open surgery.