Spine Surgery

Basic Introduction To Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Minimally invasive spine surgery can be used to remove a herniated disc in the back. Techniques also allow fusion, including the placement of spinal instrumentation, when required. Spinal stenosis can also often be treated by this technique. These types of surgery involve placement of a tubular retractor to gain access to the spine. This allows the back muscles to be split, instead of being cut. The result is less muscle injury and a shorter recovery. Surgery is often performed with a microscope to maximize safety and precision. Spinal compression fractures, for example from osteoporosis in elderly patients, can also be treated with minimally invasive techniques. This can be performed via kyphoplasty.

Minimally invasive surgery is used to treat disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, including herniated discs without making a large incision in the skin or cutting the muscles that cover the spine. There are many types of procedures used to treat a wide range of spinal disorders.

Benefits of minimally invasive surgery
Minimally invasive surgery is quickly becoming the method of choice for combating neurological disorders that demand surgical treatment. Typically resulting in less pain, scarring and recovery time than traditional surgery, minimally invasive procedures also generally incur lower heath-care costs.

Also known as minimal access spine surgery and endoscopic surgery, minimally invasive spine surgeries are designed to produce the same results as traditional operations, but are made with smaller incisions and minimal cutting of muscle. Specially designed instruments called tubular retractors pair with endoscopes, or small cameras, are inserted through fingernail-sized incisions allowing surgeons the ability to see the spine with minimal cutting. Minimally invasive surgery often results in fewer post-operative infections and complications, resulting in better long-term results for patients.