Minimally invasive spine surgery Traditionally Spine surgery is done as "open surgery” which requires the surgeon to make long skin incisions and cut the muscle along the back to reach the spine, such extensive surgery increases blood loss, risk of infection and cause back pain there by prolonging the recovery period and leads to progression of disease at adjacent levels. In recent days, however, technological advances have allowed more spine conditions to be treated safely with a minimally invasive surgical technique. Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) is less invasive, in these procedures, specialized instruments are used to access the spine through small incisions allowing the surgeon to see only the location where the problem exists in the spine. Advantages: Small incisions Less injury to muscles and other normal structures of spine Less bleeding Less post-operative pain Faster recovery Shorter stay at hospital Early return to work Conditions that can be treated: Herniated disc Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) Spinal deformities (like scoliosis) Spinal instability(spondylolisthesis) Spondylolysis (a defect in part of a lower vertebrae) Fractured vertebra Removal of a tumour in the spine Infection in the spine
