Abstract

Doody Rating : 3 stars : Spinal surgery is lacking in the trail of rich past experience which has to be looked upon for guidance. Trust in the newer ideas, thus, has to be empirical. Even today most doctors and patients are conservative in their attitude and fear visionary innovations and newer ideas. If one is committed to progress, then trust in the newer ideas is absolutely essential. As a sequela to better health care and increased life expectancy one is now obliged to see a plethora of pathological problems associated with degeneration of the aging spine. Surgery on them could be challenging in view of problems associated with getting old. All the same, innovative methods when applied judiciously can go a long way in giving much desired comfort to those who are at the fag end of their life. As an aftermath of advance in technology, the market is flooded with implants that are being promoted with cut-throat competition. If knowledge is to be applied with wisdom, then insight into the basic steps in spinal surgery is absolutely essential. Clinical materials one abundant worldwide. Imaging has improved tremendously. Quickly pinpointing the source of pain in the neck has become easy. The treatment then should be decided on the basis of a rational approach based on knowledge, wisdom and past experience. Surgeons familiar with one approach should now have an open mind to alternative safer techniques and they should foresee predicted outcomes. This book will not only give knowledge but infuse much desired confidence in all the spinal surgeons who follow this book step by step in giving better service to spine ailing patients.