Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MIS)

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Minimally invasive spine surgery or MIS allows surgeons to perform many spinal procedures through skin punctures or incisions less than 1-inch long.  MIS is performed to treat herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and some types of spinal deformity.  Many MIS procedures are performed on an outpatient basis.

Instead of long incisions and extensive tissue disruption, MIS uses an endoscope inserted through the incision.  An endoscope is a thin telescope-like instrument with a lighted tube and camera attachment. Surgery is performed by passing instruments through the endoscope to the operative field.  The light illuminates the field and the camera transmits images to a monitor in the operating room.

Potential Advantages

Many procedures performed as open surgery can be performed minimally invasively. Potential benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery may include:

• Reduced operative time
• Less soft tissue damage (need for muscle retraction is reduced)
• Reduced blood loss
• Less painful surgical incisions heal faster
• Faster recoveryr
• Less postoperative pain
• Shorter hospital stay
• Smaller, more cosmetically appealing scars

How is MIS used?

Many procedures can be performed as MIS. These include (but are not limited to):

• Discectomy
• Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
• Guided Lumbar Interbody Fusion (GLIF)  
• Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)
• Vertebroplasty
• Kyphoplasty

Conclusion

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for spinal disorders is increasingly common and may be a safe, effective form of surgery for appropriate candidates. MIS is performed using endoscopes and specially designed tools.  Only one or more small incisions are required. There may be advantages to MIS versus open surgery. Patients considering spinal surgery should be aware that not all spinal surgeries can be performed in a minimally invasive way.