Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Overview
The goal of minimally invasive spine surgery is to correct the issue using the smallest possible incision(s) and causing the least disruption to the surrounding muscle and tissue as possible.
What is minimally invasive spine surgery?
With minimally invasive surgery, one or more small incisions are made, and the procedure is accomplished by using a microscopic video camera and tiny micro-surgical tools. Alternatively, in a traditional open approach, a long incision is made in the back, neck or belly.
But the difference isn’t only in the size of the incision. With open surgery, the long incision must cut through core muscle, while the incisions of a minimally invasive approach are made with small tubes in locations that are in line with the natural planes of the muscle, reducing overall disruption and trauma to the body.
What are the benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery?
When it comes to spine surgery, there are multiple benefits to a minimally invasive approach, including:
Smaller incisions:
With smaller incisions, there is less scarring. The usual size of a minimally invasive incision is no bigger than the size of a quarter.
Less pain:
Smaller incisions lead to less pain. This is because there is less muscle damage during the surgery, which greatly reduces your initial pain level as well as pain experienced while using those muscles during recovery.
Reduced risk of infection:
Smaller incisions mean smaller areas of the body are exposed to outside germs, reducing the risk of infection.
Faster recovery time:
The reduced pain and muscle damage involved in minimally invasive surgery can greatly improve recovery times. This means less time in the hospital and a faster return to regular activities.
Reduced risk of reinjury:
With back surgery, lessening the trauma to the core muscles as much as possible is particularly important. Because strong core muscles can help relieve strain on the back and prevent injury, a weakened core puts patients at risk for new injury or aggravating a previous injury.
Less blood loss:
The less-invasive approach allows for less blood loss than a traditional, open approach does, which means less stress on the body and a reduced risk for complications.
Is minimally invasive spine surgery faster than a traditional, open approach?
Sometimes. While a minimally invasive approach can make for a faster surgery in some situations, in other cases it doesn’t offer any time benefits.
The major benefits of this approach are in reduced pain, smaller incisions, faster recovery and reduced risk of infection, blood loss and reinjury.
Who is eligible for minimally invasive spine surgery?
Not all cases can be addressed with this approach, but it is an option for many. Your surgeon may determine that your surgery can be done in a minimally invasive manner and, if so, will discuss the pros and cons with you.
Does minimally invasive spine surgery include robotics?
Sometimes. While some minimally invasive spine surgeries utilize the robotic navigation system, not all require it. Utilized more often in complex cases, robotic-guided navigation can complement minimally invasive approaches in some situations.