Exploring Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Laser Spine Surgery: Myth or Fact, Part 2

Myth: All minimally invasive procedures are identical.

Fact: Although a number of procedures are classified under the umbrella of minimally invasive spine surgery, there are several important differences. So, what factors should you consider?

Medical apparatus – As mentioned in the first post in this series, the laser supplements other surgical tools utilized during Laser Spine Institute’s procedures, including rongeurs, small burrs, and drills. Some minimally invasive surgery providers are reported to utilize only the laser, limiting their ability to perform bony work.
 

Incision size – At LSI, our incision size is less than 1 inch. Smaller incisions minimize trauma to surrounding tissue and muscle, resulting in a much shorter healing time. Due to the use of an endoscope and the size of other instruments we utilize, surgeons can visualize and access and effectively treat many spine conditions, while preserving the patient’s anatomical structure. However, please note that some patients may require more invasive procedures, based on the severity of the patient’s condition.
 

Hardware – Laser Spine Institute surgeons  do not implant hardware or mechanical devices. Hardware implantation has been reported to contribute to instability, even though it is reportedly being used to “stabilize” conditions such as spodylolisthesis.  In addition, certain pain responses not initially experienced by the patient may develop over time due to the hardware or mechanical device itself.