PD Dr. med. Antonio Faundez, a back and spine surgeon at Hôpital de La Tour, has just made a major breakthrough by introducing biportal endoscopic surgery for the treatment of cervical spine conditions—a first in Switzerland. Although this technique is already used in other European countries and occasionally in Switzerland for the lumbar spine, its adoption in Geneva marks the first time it has been used for cervical herniated disc surgery, representing a significant advance in spinal surgery.
The biportal endoscopic surgery performed by PD Dr. med. Antonio Faundez represents a clear improvement over conventional methods for spinal procedures.
Indeed, this innovative technique offers numerous advantages over traditional open surgery, including faster recovery and a reduced risk of infection and postoperative scarring. Furthermore, it allows for precise visualization of anatomical structures, thereby improving the accuracy of surgical procedures.
As a pioneer of this technique in Geneva and throughout Switzerland, Dr. Faundez is opening up new possibilities for patients suffering from cervical spine problems. This advancement underscores Hôpital de La Tour’s commitment to medical innovation and the continuous improvement of patient care.
Dr. Faundez, what is the success rate of this surgery?
In a clinical study we conducted—which is awaiting publication—we were able to demonstrate a significant improvement in patients’ function and pain levels very soon after surgery. Numerous other published studies highlight the advantages of biportal endoscopic surgery over open surgery in the treatment of herniated discs and lumbar spinal stenosis.
How long does the procedure take?
It depends on the condition being treated. It ranges from 40–60 minutes or less for a herniated disc to 1 hour and 30 minutes for the treatment of a single-level lumbar spinal stenosis.
What is the typical recovery time after surgery?
Our patients gradually resume physical and athletic activities two weeks after surgery, as postoperative pain is very minimal. Several professional athletes we have treated have returned to competition one month after surgery.
Are the scars visible?
The skin scars are very small, and, more importantly, muscle trauma is minimal.