In common, the purpose of minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) surgery is to maintain the vertebral bones and spinal segments and/or relieve the pressure being applied to the spinal tissues — usually a result of conditions such as spinal weakness, bone spurs, herniated discs, scoliosis or spinal tumors.
As denied to open spine surgery, minimally invasive surgical procedures can be quicker, more secured and need less healing time. Because of the decreased trauma to the soft tissues and muscles.
The possible advantages are:
Better cosmetic results from fewer skin cuts
Less blood loss from operation
Decreased chance of muscle loss since less or no cutting of the muscle is required.
Reduced chance of infection and postoperative pain.
Quicker healing from surgery and shorter rehabilitation required.
Reduced dependence on pain medications after surgery.
Also, some MIS surgeries are done as outpatient procedures and utilize only local anesthesia — so there is less risk for an adverse reaction to general anesthesia.
As with any surgical method, no matter how minimal, there are certain dangers connected that include but are not limited to:
Potential adverse reaction to the anesthetic.
Unexpected blood loss during the method.
Localized infections, no matter how little the hole section.
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