Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

What is minimally access spine technology ?

Minimally invasive spine surgery (or minimal access spine technology) is the present and the future of spine surgery. It is the use of special equipment, implants, instrumentation and microscopes with which the incision size can be significantly reduced. The additional advantages are reduced back pain, decreased blood loss, reduced hospital stay and faster rehabilitation.

Most people confuse minimally invasive spine surgery as just small incisions, which is far from the truth. The reality is that it involves a completely different approach and equipment as compared to the open techniques. The most important being the saving the multifidus muscle (a local vertebral stabilizing muscle) attachment to the posterior elements of the spine which helps in faster rehabilitation and lesser disturbance to the pain causing structures.

what are the procedures done through minimally invasive methods ?

• 1. Lumbar discectomy
• 2. TLIF (Trans-forminal lumbar interbody fusion)
• 3. DLIF ( Direct lateral lumbar interbody fusion)
• 4. Vertebroplasty
• 5. Kyphoplasty
• 6. Posterior cervical foraminotomy.

Can anybody do these procedures ?

The answer is a big NO. A surgeon needs special training and this technique has a big learning curve. I have worked with the stalwarts around the world to learn the art of minimally invasive spine surgery. Dr. Amit Jhala my mentor is a pioneer in this field and I recieved advanced training in Rush University Medical Centre, Chicago, USA to master this art. We have already published our work in reputed journals highliting our work done in this field.