Minimally invasive spine surgery is an approach in which special surgical instruments are used to see inside the body and perform surgery without the need for a large incision. The increase in minimally invasive spine surgery techniques has been made possible by advances in lasers, endoscopy (en-dos-co-pee), and image guidance systems.¹ Although there are risks associated with any type of surgery, including minimally invasive spine surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery offers several advantages over traditional open surgery approaches. The advantages of minimally invasive spine surgery include:

• Less muscle injury
• Less blood loss
• Less post-operative pain
• Faster rehabilitation
• Smaller scar
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster return to activities of daily living including work

Not all types of spine surgery can be performed using a minimally invasive technique, and minimally invasive spine surgery is not recommended for everyone. If your doctor has recommended spine surgery, ask whether minimally invasive spine surgery may be right for you.