Understanding Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Dr.Aashish Chaudhry, 2 mins read

Till now, patients seeking spine surgery in Delhi could only be offered traditional spine surgery or "open surgery”, which means the area which is being operated upon is opened up with a considerable incision (cut) that will let the surgeon view and operate upon it. With technological advancement, now back and neck conditions can be treated with the least invasive techniques and with minimal scarring. Excellent minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) success rates are offering individuals who do not want an open surgery a viable option that doesn’t damage the muscles around the spine. If you’re considering spine surgery, and wish to know about the various minimally invasive spine surgery types or if minimally invasive spine surgery is better than conventional surgery, this article can shed some light on these and other important facts.

The need for getting minimally invasive spine surgery will arise just the same as that for traditional spine surgery. Our orthopaedic doctors recommend spine surgery only after all other nonsurgical options have failed to relieve the pain and other symptoms caused by back problems. Even if it is confirmed that physical therapy and medication won’t be of any help to you, surgery can only be possible if the exact source of pain has been identified by doctors.

For conventional spine surgery, around 6 to 7 inches long incision is made to view the spine after pulling aside the muscles, which allows surgeons to access the spine for removing diseased and damaged bone or discs, place screws, or any bone graft materials for healing the spinal bones.

One of the major drawbacks of conventional spine surgery is that the pulling aside of the muscles to view the spine can end up damaging both muscle and surrounding soft tissue. There are naturally higher chances of getting a muscle injury, and patients can be in a different kind of pain after surgery, unlike the original pain that brought them to the table.

The recovery time is quite lengthy and large incisions and damaged soft tissues can also increase the risk of blood loss and infection. 

Is minimally invasive spine surgery better?

Minimally invasive spine surgery means less invasive spine surgery, and these procedures are performed by highly trained surgeons with the use of specialized instruments which can access the spine via the smallest incisions.

Minimally invasive spine surgery treats spine problems with next to no muscular injury and no damage to other structures in the spine. It also lets surgeons see only the area where the problem exists in the spine, and nowhere else. The other benefits of this procedure compared to traditional surgery are smaller incisions, less bleeding, and faster recovery time which means lesser time in hospital. 

There are many minimally invasive techniques but what is common to them all is the use of minuscule incisions that cause the least amount of muscle damage and require lesser recovery time.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Types

MIS Lumbar Discectomy

If a herniated disc in the lower back begins to touch a nerve, it can cause extreme pain, weakness, and even numbness in the leg. The disc needs to be removed with a discectomy.

For minimally invasive surgery, a small incision is made over the herniated disc, and a surgeon will retract the nerve and remove just the damaged disc. This technique can also be deployed for treating herniated discs in the neck. It is done through the back of the neck and is called a minimally invasive spine posterior cervical foraminotomy/discectomy. 

MIS Lumbar Fusion
Both conventional and minimally invasive lumbar fusion is performed from the back, through the abdomen, or side.

In minimally invasive spine fusion, surgeons approach the spine from the side, reducing how much of the spinal nerve must be moved, which prevents disturbing other ligaments and bones.

Minimally invasive spinal fusion surgeries do not injure the muscles in the back nor do they disturb nerves in the spinal canal.

Risk
There are always potential risks associated with every medical operation and minimally invasive spinal surgery is no different. It shared the same complications as open spine surgery. There is certainly less infection with minimally invasive techniques. Our doctors will discuss all associated risks with you and will ensure all measures are taken to avoid any potential complications. At times some unavoidable or unforeseen complications do arise, but they can be addressed on the spot.

Patients are given antibiotics before, during, and after surgery to lessen the risk of infections from the get-go. There is some expected but insignificant bleeding, along with some pain at the bone graft site. Some patients even experience their original symptoms.

Advantages of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery:

Less post-operative pain, fewer operative, and post-operative major complications, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery times, less scarring, smaller incision, and for some procedures reduced operating time and cost are all notable benefits of minimally invasive surgery for patients.

If you have any queries related to Spine Surgery and want to have a proper and honest opinion, book an appointment with us today and get a consultation with some of the best spine surgeons in Delhi.

Also Read: Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery vs Conventional Knee Replacement Surgery