Neurosurgeon Nikolay Martirosyan, MD, has performed a minimally invasive spine surgery that reduces time in the operating room by one hour, NBC affiliate KWWL reported Sept. 24.
Coined "prone, single position spine surgery," the procedure is available at a select number of hospitals in the U.S., according to Dr. Martirosyan.
The patient lies face down for the duration of the surgery, which translates into less anesthetic for the patient, reduced blood loss and a significantly shortened procedure time.
After consulting with a mentor who performed the procedure, Dr. Martirosyan replicated the surgery at Allen Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa.
He has performed the novel surgery three times and aims to use it with most of his patients.