Patient Resources

What is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

Using innovative techniques, cutting-edge technology, and evidence-based-medicine, minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) may be a treatment option for your spinal disorder or chronic back and neck pain.

Compared to traditional open spine surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery utilizes the knowledge of important anatomy, along with specially designed technology, to treat your spinal condition without causing undue injury to the surrounding soft tissues. Computer-assisted technology (such as computer navigation and nerve monitoring) and highly specialized tools and instrumentation provide for the safe and effective treatment of your pain. Minimally invasive surgery is not one operation, but rather involves a set of principles that can be applied across different types of surgeries in different regions of the spine. Some of the main principles include smaller incisions, muscle-sparing techniques, the use of natural anatomic planes, avoiding collateral damage to soft tissue and bone at other levels, and, where applicable, motion preservation.

Advantages of MISS include:

• Less post-operative pain
• Quicker recovery
• Reduced blood loss
• Less soft tissue damage
• Smaller surgical incisions
• Lower infection rate
• Less scarring
• Improved function

Potential Risks

As with any surgical procedure, including MISS, there are generalized risks and procedure-specific risks including but not limited to:

• Adverse reaction to anesthetic
• Blood clots in the legs
• Infection at the surgical site
• Blood loss
• Injury to the nerves or spinal cord resulting in pain or even paralysis