LOCAL SPINE SURGEON'S SHARP SKILLS HELP 90-YEAR OLD HALLANDALE MAN RETURN TO GOLF COURSE AND TAKE THIRD PLACE IN TOURNAMENT

Aventura Neurosurgeon Performs Four-Level Disc Surgery through One Small Incision

AVENTURA, FL (January 31, 2011) Hallandale resident Charles Borenstein is an active 90-year-old who enjoys life. Not only is he an inventor with five patents, he has been playing golf for over 55 years and has won many tournaments. He enjoys dancing and is always on the go.

Last year, Borenstein started to develop pain and heaviness in his legs and was having difficulty walking. The active life he had been enjoying for 90 years was coming to a standstill. He was no longer able to golf, which was one of his greatest passions, and was unable to walk for long periods of time.

"I thought my life was over," said Borenstein.

Borenstein sought medical attention and was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal which causes a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including pain, muscle weakness, numbness, spasms, and tingling. Spinal stenosis is a very common condition among the elderly. Many individuals develop these conditions because of degenerative changes that occur as a person ages. The narrowing of the spinal canal compresses the nerves that run through the spine. When spinal stenosis affects the lumbar, or lower, region of the spine, individuals may also experience neurogenic claudication, which is pain in the lower extremities associated with heaviness in the legs and limping.

Borenstein visited many different types of medical specialists who suggested a variety of regimens to treat his problem such as pain medication, which caused unpleasant side effects, epidural injection treatments, chiropractic manipulation, and even acupuncture. Nothing was helping, and he was becoming very depressed.

Finally, Borenstein was referred to Santiago Figuereo, MD, FAANS, a board certified neurological surgeon and medical director at Miami Neurological Institute in Aventura. Dr. Figurereo is specialty trained in minimally invasive procedures of the spine, brain, and peripheral nerves. Upon examination and review of the results of an MRI, Dr. Figuereo determined that four levels of Borenstein's lumbar spine were narrowing due to severe stenosis. He also had cysts from degenerative joints that were pressing on the nerves and contributing to the intense pain and heaviness in his legs.

"The only way to relieve the pain and help Mr. Borenstein regain a quality of life was surgery," said Dr. Figuereo.

Although Borenstein is 90 years old, he is in very good physical health. Dr. Figuereo felt he was strong enough to withstand a minimally invasive surgical procedure called decompressive laminectomy to correct the stenosis and remove the cysts in the spine. This surgery is done to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves by enlarging the spinal canal to provide additional room for the nerves.

During the surgery, Dr. Figuereo removed sections of bone covering the canal and the cysts that were pressing on the nerves. He accomplished this by making a small incision in the patient's lower spine and placing a fluoroscopy-guided tube. The tube enabled Dr. Figuereo to use a specialized surgical microscope with a laser-beam focused camera that provides real-time video images to allow him to see the inside of the spinal canal while displayed on a monitor. In addition, Dr. Figuereo uses specialized surgical instruments, which he designed with a device company, to help him access the spine and have the ability to reach hard to reach areas. Dr. Figuereo is so proficient at this procedure that he was able to correct all four levels of the spine through one small incision during a surgery that took only two-and-one-half hours. He is only one of few surgeons in the region specialty trained to correct such a large number of degenerative discs during one minimally invasive surgery.

Minimally invasive procedures are becoming more widely used in place of major open surgery, especially for elderly patients. Major surgery is more traumatic on the patient, and many risks are associated with this type of procedure such as severe loss of blood and heart failure. With minimally invasive procedures, recovery time is quicker, there is less pain, minimal blood loss, decreased rate of complication, and less time spent in the hospital. Borenstein was able to walk and go home the day after surgery and felt great.

Just four weeks after his surgery, Borenstein has been able to return to the golf course.

"I never thought I'd live to see this day," said Borenstein. "I played in a tournament last week and came in third place."

Borenstein is back to dancing, enjoying his active life, and is very grateful to have a second chance at living his life as he knows and loves it.

About Miami Neurological Institute

Located in Aventura, Fla., Miami Neurological Institute offers pain management, physical therapy, and minimally invasive, state-of-the-art surgery for disorders of the brain and spine.

The Institute's founder and medical director, Santiago Figuereo, MD.,FAANS is a board certified neurological surgeon who brings unique techniques to the region, including craniotomy with hair preservation, minimally invasive spinal discectomy, and minimally invasive endoscopic techniques for intracranial, skull base, and pituitary tumors. Prior to founding Miami Neurological Institute, Dr. Figuereo served as standing faculty and assistant professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Neurosurgery Division Chief at the Philadelphia Veterans Administration Medical Center. Dr. Figuereo studied general surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia and his neurological surgery residency was completed at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He completed a neurosurgery fellowship at the University of Washington and a fellowship in functional neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania.

For more information, visit www.miamini.com or call (786) 623-2000.

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