Is minimally invasive spine surgery right for you?
Anyone who has suffered from back pain knows the impact it can have on everyday life. While surgery is a last resort, more than 500,000 Americans still go under the knife each year seeking relief. The procedure, complications and recovery times are improved thanks to minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS). But if you’re suffering from back pain, is minimally invasive spine surgery right for you?
What is minimally invasive spine surgery?
Minimally invasive spine surgery uses smaller incisions than traditional open surgery. In a MISS procedure, your doctor will make one or more smaller incisions and insert different types of tools and instruments depending on the type of procedure being performed. This may include the insertion of an endoscope or tubular retractor to visualize different regions of the spine and/or place implants such as screws or cages to stabilize a diseased portion of the spine. During the surgery, your surgeon may also use special operating microscopes, high-resolution cameras, computer and robot-assisted guidance and real-time X-rays.
In traditional open-spine surgery, the incisions are longer and may be placed down the center of your spine, chest or abdomen. In these approaches, the surgeon moves the muscles and tissue surrounding the spine to clear the field for work on the area. This approach results in less injury to muscles and surrounding tissues, which helps shorten recovery times.
What are the benefits of MISS?
Today minimally invasive spine surgery is the preferred surgical method because of the benefits to the patient, including:
- Faster recovery and less post-op rehabilitation
- Reduced risk of muscle damage since no cutting of muscle is needed
- Less blood loss during surgery
- Reduced risk of post-op infection
- Less post-op pain and less pain medication needed after surgery
- Less permanent scarring from the incision
What conditions can MISS treat?
Minimally invasive spine surgery can be used for a variety of spinal surgical procedures and to treat a variety of back issues including:
- Herniated disk
- Spinal stenosis
- Scoliosis
- Spinal instability
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spondylolysis or pars defect
- Fractured vertebra
- Spinal tumors
- Spinal infections
The goal of MISS is to stabilize spinal joints, and vertebrae and to relieve pressure on spinal nerves.
How long does the surgery take?
Some minimally invasive spine surgeries can be done on an outpatient basis. Additionally, some procedures can be performed under local anesthesia instead of general anesthesia.
What is the success rate of MISS?
The success rate of minimally invasive spine surgery is 90+%. It is just slightly less than traditional open surgery, but its benefits make it the preferred method in many cases. “The success rate of MISS is similar to the outcomes of open spine surgery but with less operative trauma, blood loss, postoperative pain and hospital length of stay,” says SIU Medicine neurosurgeon Dr. Bruce Frankel.
Read about Frank Vala and how Dr. Frankle and minimally invasive spine surgery gave him a second chance at life.
When is the traditional approach better?
“While MISS has many benefits, it’s not always the right choice in every circumstance. For certain conditions, traditional spine surgery might be the safer, more effective route,” says Dr. Frankel.
For certain types of very complicated fractures and tumors involving the spine, the traditional approach may be preferred, however, this is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Working with your SIU provider, you can determine the right surgical approach for you.
SIU Medicine can help
If you’re suffering from debilitating back pain, the physicians at SIU Medicine can help you find relief. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, our doctors will assess your conditions and suggest a course of treatment, which might include minimally invasive spine surgery, to treat your pain. Contact us today at 217-545-8000 or request an appointment online to regain a healthy back.
