Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

This surgery (shortened to MISS) is a type of surgery on the bones of the backbone. It uses traditionally smaller incisions than is standard for other surgeries and causes less harm to nearby muscles and tissues. Often, it leads to less pain and speedier post-surgery recovery.

The standard method is called open surgery which requires a long incision down the back, and hence requires moving away muscles and soft tissue on the spine. Alternatively, during MISS, a smaller incision is required after which the surgeon inserts a tubular retractor. This is a stiff, tube-shaped tool which creates a tunnel to the problem area of the spine. Pushing through the muscle and soft tissue around the area, the retractor allows the surgeon to then poot small tools through the tunnel to work on the spine. The surgeon additionally uses X-ray imaging to get a real-time view of the spine.

MISS can only be used for certain spine surgeries, including lumbar discectomy, laminectomy, and spinal fusion.

This type of surgery can be beneficial for:

• Herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
• Spinal deformities (like scoliosis)
• Spinal instability
• Spondylolysis (a defect in a part of lower vertebrae)
• Fractured vertebra
• Removal of a tumour in the spine
• Infection in the spine