MIS was developed to treat disorders of the spine with less disruption to the muscles. This can result in quicker recovery, decrease operative blood loss, and speed patient return to normal function.
Not all patients are appropriate candidates for MIS procedures. It is important to keep in mind that there needs to be certainty that the same or better results can be achieved through MIS techniques as with the respective open procedure.
As with all non-emergency spinal surgeries, the patient should undergo an appropriate period of conservative treatment, such as physical therapy, pain medication, or bracing, without showing improvement, before surgery is considered. The time period varies depending on the specific condition and procedure, but is generally six weeks to six months. The benefits of surgery should always be weighed carefully against the risks. Although a large percentage of patients report significant symptom of pain relief, there is no guarantee that surgery will help every individual.
Benefits
The potential benefits of MIS include:
- Smaller incisions
- Smaller scars/less scar tissue
- Reduced blood loss
- Less pain
- Less soft tissue damage
- Reduced muscle retraction
- Decreased postoperative narcotics
- Shorter hospital stay
- Possibility of performing on outpatient basis
- Faster recovery
- Quicker return to work and activities
Surgery Risks
As with any spinal surgical procedure, there are risks, including:
- Allergic reaction
- Anaesthesia reaction
- Bleeding
- Blood vessel damage
- Blood clots
- Bruising
- Death
- Dissatisfactory instrumentation placement, may require re-operation
- Headache
- Incision problems
- Infection
- Need for further surgery
- Pain or discomfort
- Paralysis
- Pneumonia
- Spinal fluid leakage
- Stroke
Conditions Treated using MIS Procedures
- Herniated disc
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Spinal infections
- Spinal instability
- Vertebral compression fractures
