At the end of June, Hospital da Luz Funchal performed endoscopic spinal surgery for the first time—a minimally invasive technique that allows herniated discs to be treated with minimal incisions, less post-operative pain, and faster recovery, enabling patients to return home on the same day. The surgeries were performed by neurosurgeon João Páscoa Pinheiro , whose training began in Coimbra, where he encountered his first cases of endoscopic spine surgery. Since then, he has assisted in many such surgeries and deepened his knowledge through various international practical courses, notably in Germany and Turkey, countries that are leaders in this field. He also completed a fellowship in Spain under the guidance of Carlos Valencia, a neurosurgeon with extensive experience in this technique. The introduction of this approach at Hospital da Luz Funchal represents an important step in the modernization of the treatment of spinal pathologies, offering patients a safe, effective, and less invasive option with faster functional recovery. Among the advantages of endoscopic spine surgery, the following stand out: Unlike conventional surgery, it is minimally invasive, requiring only small incisions. As a result, patients report less postoperative pain and a shorter recovery time. It allows the surgeon to see the vertebral and neurological structures directly and in high definition, which makes for super precise and safe surgical procedures. Being minimally invasive, potential post-operative complications are also reduced when compared to traditional open surgical methods, in terms of infections, excessive blood loss, hematomas, and nerve damage. Shorter hospital stay and faster return to daily activities. In addition to the spinal conditions mentioned above, it can be used in more complex decompression procedures, with the possibility of combining it with spinal fixation. In the photo above, João Páscoa Pinheiro and neurosurgeon David Carpio.
