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Endoscopic Surgery

Neurosurgeons located in Long Beach, CA
Endoscopic Surgery

Endoscopic Surgery services offered in Long Beach, CA


An endoscope is an instrument fitted with a tiny camera that enables your surgeon to operate without making large incisions. The board-certified neurosurgeons at Coast Neurosurgical Associates in Long Beach, California, use endoscopic surgery techniques to perform advanced brain and spine surgeries with minimal tissue damage. To discover how you could benefit from endoscopic surgery, call Coast Neurosurgical Associates today or go online to complete the booking form.

Endoscopic Surgery Q&A

What is endoscopic surgery?

Endoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique. It involves using an endoscope, a slim, flexible tube that has a light and tiny camera on its tip.

Your surgeon can insert the endoscope through a small incision or a natural opening like the nostrils. The camera on the endoscope sends back images of the surgery site that your surgeon uses to guide their instruments.

The instruments they use also fit into small openings. Your surgeon doesn’t view the surgery site directly; instead, they operate the instruments while watching the feed from the endoscope’s camera.

What are the advantages of endoscopic surgery?

Endoscopic surgery has all the advantages of a minimally invasive procedure, namely:

  • Less tissue damage
  • Reduced postsurgical pain
  • Less time in the hospital
  • Minimal blood loss
  • Faster recovery
  • Smaller or no scars

As technology and surgical techniques become even more refined, it’s possible to perform an increasing variety of operations using endoscopic procedures. 

The Coast Neurosurgical Associates team specializes in using endoscopic surgery to perform spine and brain operations.

What endoscopic spine surgeries are available?

Endoscopic spine surgery is one of several minimally invasive approaches your surgeon can use. Examples of endoscopic surgeries the Coast Neurosurgical Associates team might perform include:

Endoscopic rhizotomy

Endoscopic rhizotomy deadens the spinal nerves sending pain signals to your brain.

Endoscopic foraminotomy

Endoscopic foraminotomy relieves pressure on the spinal nerve roots from bone spurs, herniated discs, and other abnormalities.

Endoscopic lumbar laminotomy

An endoscopic lumbar laminotomy involves removing pieces of the lamina (part of the vertebra). It relieves pressure on the nerves caused by spinal stenosis.

Endoscopic discectomy

Endoscopic discectomy is a procedure that removes a herniated disc.

Spine surgeons may use endoscopic techniques when performing minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) with tubular retractors or via micro incisions.

How is endoscopy used in brain surgery?

Endoscopic brain surgery takes place via the nasal passages. An endoscope can also be used as an adjunct to traditional open craniotomies, to simultaneously improve visualization and decrease the surgical footprint. This allows your neurosurgeon to avoid having to make incisions in your head. Its most common use is the removal of brain tumors.

Endoscopic surgery techniques also enable your surgeon to remove brain tumors from areas that might not be accessible using traditional approaches. Endoscopic brain tumor surgery can remove meningiomas, pituitary tumors, and craniopharyngiomas. 

Employing endoscopic techniques allows your surgeon to remove more of the tumor without needing to retract the healthy parts of your brain.

To learn more about endoscopic surgery and its benefits, call Coast Neurosurgical Associates today or book an appointment online.