About the METRx® X-TUBE® Retraction System
The METRx® X-TUBE® Retraction System provides an expanded visual field for minimally invasive spine surgery.
Building on the technology of the METRx™ System, the METRx® X-TUBE® Retraction System allows the surgeon to operate using a minimally invasive procedure, yet provides a slightly larger surgical area for increased visualization of the spine.
Minimally invasive spine surgery is different from traditional, open spine surgery in that the open approach involves making a long incision down the back, stripping large bands of muscle away from the spine and then retracting, or pulling to each side, the surrounding muscles so the surgeon can get a clear view of the vertebrae of the spine to be treated.
Minimally invasive spine surgery involves a small incision or incisions, muscle dilation and the use of microsurgical and image guidance technologies to access, view and repair spinal deterioration or damage. Muscle dilation involves gently and gradually separating, rather than cutting and stripping, the muscles that surround the spine to create a "tunnel" through which your surgeon may view the spine and perform surgery.
The METRx® X-TUBE® Retraction System is an expandable tubular retractor that provides visibility to the spine and the area of the spine to be treated. To perform this procedure, your surgeon will first make a very small (less than 1 inch) incision over the vertebrae to be treated and then complete the dilation process using the METRx® X-TUBE® Retraction System. Once the surgical procedure is complete, your surgeon will remove the instruments. The incision will be closed with a few stitches and covered with an adhesive bandage.
Surgeons may use this system to perform a discectomy to relieve pressure on spinal nerve roots caused by a herniated (bulging) disc. If the soft, gel-like material at the center of the disc (nucleus pulpous) is pushing through a tear in the disc's tougher, fibrous outer layer (annulus fibrosis) and pinching the nerves of the neck, the result may be persistent neck pain, often with numbness in the arms and hands. If the disc herniation is in the lower back, the symptoms can include persistent low back and buttock pain, with numbness and/or tingling in the legs and feet.
To learn more about minimally invasive spine surgery, talk to your spinal surgeon. To find a spine surgeon who performs minimally invasive spine surgery, visit our Find A Doctor locator.
It is important that you discuss the potential risks, complications, and benefits of the METRx® X-TUBE® Retraction System with your doctor prior to receiving treatment, and that you rely on your physician's judgment. Only your doctor can determine whether you are a suitable candidate for this treatment.
