What is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

Introduction

In the twenty-first century, advancements in science and technology have changed how we think, live, work, and operate. It has changed the dynamics of the education, agricultural, industrial, and health sector. It has revolutionized the health sector and has made it more accurate and precise. The use of the latest advanced technologies has made complicated and delicate surgeries simple and easy. Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery is a case in point. Struggling with back pain can be debilitating but there may be minimally invasive surgery options.  This article tells you everything you need to know about Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. So, let’s begin.

What is minimally invasive spine surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery is a type of surgery in which surgical incision is reduced to a minimum to minimize the post-operation trauma and pain to the body. In such procedures, a needle and an endoscope are used to perform surgery. Minimally invasive surgery aims to reduce postoperative body pain, speedy recovery, less blood loss, and lessen scarring. So, in minimally invasive spine surgery, the pedicle screws and rods are inserted into the spine with the aid of a thin needle and an endoscope. In this procedure, multiple small incisions are made to place the pedicle screws, and rods into the spine instead of one large incision generally did in open spinal fusion surgery. The objective is that rods and screws are placed in the spine with minimal body pain and minimum trauma to tendons and muscles in the back.

What are the advantages of minimally invasive spine surgery?

This surgical procedure has some advantages over traditional surgical treatment. It is performed with some small incisions instead of one long incision, so it has some benefits. The advantages of this kind of spinal surgery are that it reduces the risk of infection, minimizes the chances of damage to soft tissues, reduces body pain during and after the procedure, lessens scarring, and leads to fast recovery. Moreover, minimally invasive spine surgery reduces the probability of complications during and after the procedure. In brief, there are multiple benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery.

What are the disadvantages of minimally invasive spine surgery?

Like the advantages, it also has some drawbacks. Like any other surgical procedure, it also has its consequences that a patient should know. Some of these potential complications and disadvantages are discussed here. Firstly, multiple small incisions can cause blood clotting. Secondly, it can also cause pseudarthrosis-diseases caused by false-joint of bones. Last but not least, it is a very technical procedure, and it requires a lot of skill and experience. There are only countable surgeons who can perform such complex surgeries.

Conclusion

In conclusion, minimally invasive spine surgery is a surgery in which multiple incisions are used to place pedicle screws and rods in the spine instead of one long incision during open spinal fusion surgery. It has both advantages and disadvantages. Some of its benefits are less body pain, minimum blood loss, fast recovery, and minimal surgical complications. On the other hand, the likelihood of blood clotting and pseudarthrosis are its drawbacks.  In a nutshell, its advantages outweigh its disadvantages.