When possible, it is almost always more advantageous to receive minimally invasive spinal surgery rather than a more extensive procedure in order to correct a problem within the spinal canal. The surgery is usually better tolerated by the patient and is almost always more cost-effective. Minimally invasive spine procedures can often be performed on conditions such as:
- Discectomy
- Spinal decompression
- Spinal fusion
- Laminectomy
Dr. Hyun W. Bae of the Spine Institute Center for Spinal Restoration in Santa Monica specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery, and shares some of the benefits of these types of procedures:
-
Smaller Incision Site
When a surgeon performs a minimally invasive procedure, the incision site is much smaller and less tissue damage is incurred. As a result, the surgical site generally heals much more quickly.
-
More Patients Can Receive Treatment
Since minimally invasive procedures are performed with less stress to the body, patients who are not candidates for more involved surgeries because of poor health may be able to tolerate a less involved operation. Individuals who are poor surgical candidates due to excessive weight or other medical problems may still be able to reap the benefits of spinal surgery.
-
Lower Risk
Since the incision is smaller, blood loss is much less than what occurs in open procedures. Patients are exposed to anesthesia for a much shorter time, which minimizes the risk of lung problems. Infection is also less common because a smaller amount of tissue is exposed for a shorter amount of time.
-
Less Pain
Since physicians use specialized surgical tools for visualizing and repairing the target site, less tissue is disrupted during the repair. When fewer muscles and tissues need to be cut, most patients experience less pain after a minimally invasive procedure than in a traditional open surgery.
-
Better Recovery
Many minimally invasive spinal surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis. Since muscles are either not cut or incised at a minimum, patients are able to resume regular activities and return to work much more quickly.
To learn about the various types of minimally invasive spine procedures, reach out to The Spine Institute Center for Spinal Restoration and schedule an in-person consultation with one of our board-certified physicians. Call (310) 828-7757 today.