Low Back Pain. Q&A - Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery by Dr. Nasiek

What is minimally invasive spine surgery, and how does it work?

Minimally invasive spine surgery is a less disruptive approach that involves small incisions and specialized instruments to access the spine. The surgeon uses a tiny camera to visualize the area and occasionally microscope for magnification. Unlike traditional open surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery does not require cutting muscles or ligaments, resulting in less tissue trauma, less pain, and faster recovery. In some cases, the surgeries are performed under local anesthesia or mild sedation, with patients being discharged the same day or within a few days.

Conditions treated with minimally invasive spine surgery

MISS is useful in treating a range of conditions, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, traumatic disc injury, degenerative disc disease, spinal tumors, fractures, etc. The technique can be employed to remove pressure on spinal nerves caused by spinal stenosis or herniated disc, fuse spinal vertebrae, or remove tumors.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Minimally invasive spine surgery offers several benefits over traditional open surgery. Firstly, the smaller incisions mean less scarring and less damage to muscles and tissues. This results in less postoperative pain and a faster recovery. Secondly, the surgeon can selectively target the affected area, reducing the risk of complications and blood loss. Lastly, the risk of infection postoperatively is minimized.

Risks associated with minimally invasive spine surgery

Although minimally invasive spine surgery offers several advantages, there are risks associated with it. There is a small risk of nerve damage, especially if the procedure involves work near the nerve roots. The proximity of the nerves to the surgical field means that even minor miscalculations could lead to severe neurological damage. Additionally, there is a risk of incomplete decompression or inadequate fusion, demanding revision surgery.

The benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS)

The benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) outweigh the risks associated with it. Low back pain is a widespread medical condition, and traditional open surgery has been used to treat it, but recently MISS has emerged as a new paradigm that promises better outcomes. MISS involves small incisions, specialized instruments, and a tiny camera or microscope to visualize the area, resulting in less tissue trauma, less pain, and faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery. The surgeon can selectively target the affected area, reducing the risk of complications and blood loss. Additionally, the risk of infection postoperatively is minimized. While there are risks associated with MISS, such as nerve damage and incomplete decompression or inadequate fusion, requiring revision surgery, they are small compared to the benefits. Therefore, MISS is becoming a new paradigm in the treatment of low back pain.