Advantages of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Patients with recurring pain, due to degenerative disease, herniated disc, overgrowth of bone and spinal nerve compression, are often considered for spinal surgery. And today, doctors are increasingly suggesting that patients opt for minimally invasive spine surgery over conventional back surgery.
Minimally invasive spine surgery or MISS offers many benefits to patients requiring surgical intervention in their spinal cord. Typically, in conventional surgery, the surgeon makes a six-inch-long incision and move muscles in order to get to the spine. This puts undue strain on the soft muscle tissues.
With MISS, a surgeon makes smaller incisions to lower tiny surgical equipment and camera inside the spine and guides the instruments to perform the surgery. This puts less strain on muscles and also lowers the risk of complications due to blood loss or infections.
Also with MISS, patients experience lesser post-operative pain as the incisions are minimal in size. Another advantage that MISS has over conventional spine surgery is the recovery period. Typically, patients who have had a minimally invasive spine surgery can leave for home within a day or two.
Lesser pain and speedy recovery also means that patients can be a given a lower dosage of pain killers when compared to conventional surgery. From a cosmetic perspective, minimal scarring is also an advantage for MISS.
In spite of these benefits, there are always risks of complications as with any surgery that patients should be aware of. Ranka Hospital, which has one of the best spine surgeon in Pune, boasts of a zero infection rate in their operation theaters.
However, not everyone is a candidate for a minimally invasive spine surgery. Patients who have spinal deformity, spinal tumor, spinal scoliosis etc are not eligible for MISS. Those who have undergone a spinal surgery before are also not eligible for MISS.
It is best to consult with your doctor to evaluate whether conventional surgery or minimally invasive spine surgery works for you.
