Page 6 - Mecklenburg_Medicine_March-2017

Feature

20 Years Later, Spine Procedure Developed By Charlotte
Neurosurgeon Still Helping Patients Recover More Quickly

In 1997, local neurosurgeon Tim Adamson, MD, developed the damaged cervical spine. An endoscope then is inserted into the
cervical microendoscopic discectomy (MED), an outpatient tube to visualize the anatomy, allowing us to safely remove damaged
procedure to relieve pressure on the spinal nerve caused by material and decompress the spine.
a herniated cervical disc. As the 20th anniversary of this
achievement approaches, we congratulate this medical society Over the past two decades, cervical MED has proven to be a highly
member on his accomplishment and asked Dr. Adamson to reflect effective treatment for cervical radiculopathy, especially for physically
on the origin of the procedure and the future of neurosurgery. active patients. It routinely is performed on an outpatient basis. Patients
usually are discharged the same day as surgery and can return to a light
MHis responses are below. normal routine after three to five days of limited activity.
y first exposure to the concept of minimally
invasive surgery, or microsurgery, was during my The procedure has been successful enough to gain attention around
neurosurgery fellowship with Gazi Yasargil, MD, the world. Surgeons from other states and countries routinely come
in Switzerland. It was an incredible opportunity and train with us to learn the cervical MED technique.
to learn from the Michael Jordan of neurosurgery. He is a true
innovator and was even named Neurosurgeon of The Century in I expect minimally invasive surgery will continue to play a
2000. Dr. Yasargil wanted to improve outcomes and reduce the larger role in spine surgery over the next decade. At Carolina
trauma that patients had to endure during and after neurosurgical Neurosurgery & Spine Associates, my colleague Dom Coric,
procedures. His primary area of focus was related to brain MD, and I are working on a new minimally invasive technique
procedures, but once I began practicing neurosurgery here in for cervical fusion that hopefully will be in clinical trials in April.
Charlotte, I realized these same principles could be applied to spine Our practice and other doctors around the world will continue to
surgery, as well. push the boundaries of neurosurgery to provide better outcomes
for patients.
Today, the term “minimally invasive” is a buzzword among
patients and within the medical community. The idea of surgery with Twenty years have gone by very quickly. But, as I look back
a small incision and short recovery time is very common now, but in to the time when we pioneered cervical MED right here in
the 1990s, it was just becoming a hot topic. Charlotte, I was just doing then what all of us in the medical field
hope to do every day — build upon the advancements that came
In 1997, Kevin Foley, MD, and Maurice Smith, MD, in Memphis before us, add our own insight and, hopefully, serve as a catalyst
developed the lumbar microendoscopic discectomy (MED) to create new innovations to help patients in the future.
procedure. We saw the benefits of lumbar MED for our patients
here at Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates and began Tim Adamson, MD, Tim Adamson, MD
using the technique. After learning the lumbar procedure, I thought is a neurosurgeon
it was a natural fit to develop a similar type of technique for the with Carolina
cervical spine. Traditionally, cervical spine disease was treated using Neurosurgery &
techniques that originated in the 1950s and required cutting muscles Spine Associates. He
in the neck. As a result of significant muscle disturbance, procedure is the medical director
recovery took several weeks and patients experienced significant post- of Carolina Center
operative pain. I knew that a new minimally invasive option could for Specialty Surgery
make a real difference for these patients in terms of both recovery and an independent
time and pain reduction. neurological
consultant for
I consulted with the two surgeons who created the original lumbar the NFL. To
procedure and explained my idea. They wished me well but did not see a video with
think the lumbar technique could be adapted for the cervical spine Dr. Adamson
disorders. After about three months of intense focus and exploring discussing
options, I learned that we could create great results for patients using cervical MED,
cervical MED. This meant neurosurgeons now could treat a very visit: CNSA.
painful and potentially dangerous condition in the neck much more com/MED. To
easily and quickly with an outpatient procedure. learn more,
call Carolina
Unlike traditional surgery, the cervical MED procedure only Neurosurgery &
requires a half-inch incision. Instead of cutting through muscle, a Spine Associates
tubular retractor system is used to separate muscles in order to access at 704-376-1605.

6 | March 2017 • Mecklenburg Medicine