5 Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

In some situations, surgery for certain spinal conditions can be completed through traditional means or through minimally invasive spine surgery.  Minimally invasive surgery uses smaller incisions that allow a small camera to enter the body, allowing your surgeon to view the relevant area of your spine and then use a variety of instruments to perform the procedure.  At Spine Solutions, Dr. Behnam Myers and Dr. Steven Lasser specialize in minimally invasive spiral surgery. This option may be available in situations involving spinal fusion or spinal decompression.  Minimally invasive spine surgery contains several benefits over traditional, open surgery, including the following:

Lower Risk of Complications

Traditional spinal surgery involves a long incision that is necessary for the surgeon to reach the affected area of the spine.  Any type of open surgery carries with it the possibility of complications, including excessive bleeding and the possibility of infection.  Minimally invasive procedures only involve very small incisions, so there is less opportunity for such complications to arise.  Additionally, because the incisions are smaller, there is reduced blood loss.  Due to less potential for complications, minimally invasive spinal surgery may be able to be performed in an outpatient facility.

Decreased Risk of Muscle Damage

Minimally invasive spine surgery can support and stabilize the spine.  Open surgery results in pulling muscles away from the affected area of the spine, which can result in damage to muscle and soft tissue.  However, minimally invasive surgery does not involve the cutting of muscle or the pulling of muscles to the same extent.  Therefore, there is a decreased risk of damage to the muscle and surrounding area.

Faster Recovery 

Due to the smaller incision, recovery time is only a fraction of the time compared to major surgery.  Additionally, with little to no muscle damage, spinal surgery patients can often be discharged much quicker. In many cases, patients are discharged within a day of the procedure.  Therefore, recovery time is much easier.

Less Painful Process

Spinal procedures are often performed to help relieve compression of the spinal nerves that causes pain in the patient’s back, arms, legs or other areas of the body.  However, traditional, open surgery can cause a significant amount of discomfort because of the larger incision that is used in this type of surgery.  Patients who receive minimally invasive spinal surgery often suffer less pain throughout each aspect of the process.  They may also experience less post-operative pain, reducing the need for dangerous pain medications.

Superior Cosmetic Results

Minimally invasive spinal surgery does not have the long scars that accompany traditional, open surgery.  There are smaller incisions that result in minimal scarring and overall superior cosmetic results.

While minimally invasive spine surgery is an attractive option, it is not available in all cases.  Some patients may not be particularly suited for this type of surgery as minimally invasive spinal surgery potentially isn’t suitable for all types of spinal issues.  Talk to Dr. Myers and Dr. Lasser today about the possibility of minimally invasive spinal surgery and weigh the pros and cons before making a final decision.