Laser Spine Surgery - Accurascope Risks

Millions of people suffer with debilitating back pain every day. In fact, back pain is the second most common reason why people visit their doctor. Depending on the diagnosis, surgery is sometimes the only option, especially in the case of a herniated disc. The compression of a disc on delicate nerves causes the pain many people complain of in their back, and often times in their buttocks and legs, when the sciatic nerve is affected. When faced with the difficult decision of opting for spine surgery, one needs to consider all their options, including the latest trend, laser spine surgery.

One of the latest techniques in laser spine surgery is called the Accurascope DND, a minimally invasive laser spine procedure, pioneered by Dr. Lawrence B. Rothstein, for the purpose of diagnosing, treating, and alleviating chronic back pain. The procedure is performed by pain management physicians and anesthesiologists, NOT board-certified spine or orthopedic surgeons.

DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE:

By making a very small incision in the lower back, called the sacral hiatus, a fiber-optic tube with an attached camera is advanced into the spinal canal. At the same time, a video-guided catheter with a high-powered laser device is also inserted. The spinal canal is then able to be visualized by the physician, who in turn can identify such problems as herniated and bulging discs. The laser is then fired at these discs to effectively "shrink" these discs. Once the discs have been "shrunk" by the laser, the pressure on the nerve is supposedly relieved, thereby alleviating the pain. Unfortunately, the video-guided catheter which is used in the Accurascope DND procedure is only approved by the FDA for the purpose of visualization and delivery of medication, NOT for use with a high-powered laser.

In January 2011, a federal complaint was filed in U.S. District Court against Myelotec, Inc., located in Roswell, Georgia, seeking to halt the sale of these video-guided catheters to Dr. Rothstein. The complaint further states that representatives of Myelotec were present during many of Dr. Rothstein’s Accurascope DND procedures and that they were clearly aware Dr. Rothstein was intentionally placing patients in jeopardy by altering their devices in ways other than originally approved by the FDA.

North American Spine, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, however, continues to promote and perform the non-invasive Accurascope DND laser spinal surgery, even after serious questions have been raised as to its safety, including numerous complaints and lawsuits from former patients who have been left permanently maimed for life. Complications stemming from the Accurascope DND include but are not limited to permanent nerve damage, pain, weakness, numbness, paralysis, and incontinence. At one point, Dr. Rothstein had 19 active medical malpractice cases pending against him by former patients, including one case in which a woman received a $5 million judgment after being left permanently brain damaged. Dr. Rothstein has since claimed bankruptcy, temporarily halting the rest of the remaining medical malpractice cases against him and leaving his victims in a standstill against justice.

North American Spine also claims to be the only operating facility currently performing the Accurascope DND procedure; however, this is simply not true. The Accurascope DND procedure has been and is being performed in other facilities across the United States, including Ohio and Florida, with some of North American Spine's physicians operating in one or more states simultaneously.

If we take a look at the websites below, it is clear that the Accurascope DND procedure is currently being advertised and performed in Dallas, Texas, Hilliard, Ohio, and Tampa, Florida. In the case of Innovative Pain Solutions, Dr. Stephen Watson claims to be performing the Accurascope DND at the Riverview Health Institute in Dayton, Ohio, with Dr. Rothstein (highly unlikely), while Dr. Stephen Watson is also listed as one of the pain management physicians on the roster at North American Spine in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Stephen Watson also claims to perform the Accurascope DND in Tampa, Florida, at Innovative Spine Care.

Also, take note of the similarities in the websites. They are all cloned copies of one another and provide little or no real useful information, especially when it comes to getting detailed information about the procedure. Simply stated, these websites are nothing more than marketing tools. These companies conduct seminars, market chiropractic offices, and prey on vulnerable patients, who are willing to do almost anything to alleviate their debilitating back pain. It is all about the money. The Accurascope DND procedure costs roughly $30,000.00 with no guaranteed results. There is also constant turnover in these companies, both in the corporate world as well as with the physicians they employ.

www.northamericanspine.com

www.innovativepainsolutions.com

www.florida-spine-care.com

In summary, the Accurascope DND is an experimental pain management procedure which utilizes a video-guided catheter which has been altered for a purpose other than which was originally approved by the FDA. Innovation and safety go hand in hand. If you suffer from back pain and are contemplating surgery, please seek out a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who is specially trained to deal with the spine. Please think twice before you consider the Accurascope DND procedure. It is simply not worth the risk.