The old image of spine surgery involved a long incision, cutting through muscles, and months of bed rest.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) has completely changed the narrative.

Today, we can fix discs and fuse bones through incisions smaller than a coin.

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How Does It Work?

The Tubular Retractor

Instead of cutting muscle, we insert a small tube. We gradually dilate the muscle fibers to create a tunnel to the spine.

• Benefit: The muscle is pushed aside, not cut. When the tube is removed, the muscle snaps back into place.

Microscopes and Endoscopes

We use high-powered magnification or tiny cameras to see the nerves in HD. This allows for extreme precision.

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Benefits Over Open Surgery

1. Less Pain: Since muscles aren't cut, post-op pain is dramatically lower.
2. Less Blood Loss: Often less than a few spoonfuls.
3. Faster Recovery: Many patients go home the same day or the next day.
4. Cosmetic Scars: Tiny incisions (1-2 cm) that fade quickly.

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Common MISS Procedures

• Microdiscectomy: Removing a slipped disc.
• TLIF (Fusion): Fusing unstable vertebrae using screws and rods through small cuts.
• Vertebroplasty: Injecting cement into a fractured vertebra.

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Is It Safe?

Yes. In fact, it has lower infection rates than open surgery because the wound is smaller.

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Takeaway

If you need spine surgery, ask for Minimally Invasive options.

Why endure a big scar for a small problem? 👉 Discuss MISS with Dr. Abhijit Kale.