Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Traditional “open” spine surgery may require several days in the hospital as it may involve a three-inch long incision, in which muscles and tissues are separated for optimal access to the injury site. The surgery usually results in trauma to surrounding tissues and some blood loss. Because of this the affected tissues and muscles need adequate healing time.

Spine surgery then home, same day

Michael Rohan Spine uses the latest minimally invasive techniques and instrumentation to help patients recover in a shorter period of time and allow for a quicker return home.

Innovative developments in minimally invasive techniques have pioneered better ways for the surgeon to access the spine, moreover making the recovery process more seamless. In minimally invasive spine surgery, a smaller incision is made, sometimes only a half-inch in length. The surgeon inserts special surgical instruments through these tiny incisions to access the damaged disc in the spine.

Entry and repair to the damaged disc or vertebrae is achieved without harming nearby muscles and tissues when using minimally invasive techniques. Minimally invasive spine surgery requires extensive training and experience to master use of the tools, but there is tremendous benefit for the patient.

Comparison: Minimally Invasive vs. Traditional Spine Surgery

Aspect	Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS)	Traditional Open Spine Surgery
Incision Size	Small (typically less than 1 inch)	Large (several inches)
Muscle Disruption	Minimal	Significant
Recovery Time	Faster (days to weeks)	Longer (weeks to months)
Blood Loss	Reduced	Greater
Scarring	Minimal	More noticeable
Hospital Stay	Shorter (sometimes outpatient)	Longer (several days)
Risk of Infection	Lower	Higher
Cost	Can be higher (due to advanced technology)	Usually lower upfront
Surgeon Expertise Required	High (specialized training needed)	More commonly available

About minimally invasive equipment and techniques

All of the surgical equipment used in minimally invasive spine surgery must be able to pass through a keyhole-sized portal. These portals are left in during the entire surgery to allow specially designed surgical tools to move freely into the patient’s spinal column and not to damage the soft tissue from exiting and inserting equipment.

When the portal is removed at the end of the surgery, the surrounding soft tissues slowly fall back into their normal place and only require a small amount of stitches to close the area.

Some surgical procedures of MIS of the thoracic spine may require the anesthesiologist to specifically deflate the lung closest to the operating area and the patient will breathe with the other lung throughout the entire procedure. It is considered a very common practice in order to allow more space for the spine surgeon to operate within the thoracic spine.