Question: Prof. Dr. Yunus Aydın, why do you not prefer to use screws and iron rods in your spinal cord surgery practices?

Answer: I would like to discuss the potential drawbacks of using screws and metal rods in spinal surgery and explore alternative treatment approaches. First and foremost, it is essential to note that while spinal surgery may be necessary in certain cases, considering the complications associated with the use of screws and rods, I choose not to employ this method.

One of the primary complications arising from the use of screws and rods in spinal surgery is the elimination of joint movement in the area covered by the screws. This leads to excessive loading on the joints adjacent to the upper and lower screws. Since the joints between the screws become inactive, there is an increased load on the adjacent joint immediately above and below the screw, causing abnormal stress. This situation can result in degeneration in the region where the surgery was performed, leading to the narrowing of the spinal canal.

There is a consensus among doctors that stabilization surgeries performed to strengthen the spine can eventually lead to a condition known as adjacent segment disease. This disease signifies degeneration occurring in the vertebrae above or below the surgical site. Consequently, it may cause nerve compression and necessitate a second surgical intervention.

In an effort to minimize such complications and ensure a comfortable recovery process for my patients, I adopt a different approach. Rather than opting for the traditional use of screws and rods, I prefer a more minimally invasive technique called canal stenosis surgery for patients requiring spinal surgery. In this method, through a small incision, a small window is opened with a high speed drill. After removal of the ligamentum flavum and passing other side over top, without disturbing the inter and supra spinal ligaments and joints on the contralateral side, decompression is made on bilateral side to access and alleviate the nerve compression in the region, for resolving the symptoms of adjacent segment disease. This allows for a quicker recovery for patients post-surgery.

Patients typically return home on the same day or the following day after surgery, adapting more rapidly to their daily lives. The primary reason for my preference for this minimally invasive technique is its reduced impact on patients compared to traditional spinal surgery practices.