If you are considering spine surgery, you may want to find out if minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) is a good option for you. Compared to traditional open spine surgery, MISS offers several advantages. However, it's important to keep in mind that not everyone is a good candidate for MISS.

Here are some advantages of minimally invasive spine surgery compared to open traditional spine surgery:

• Faster recovery after surgery
• Less time spent in the hospital (Depending on the procedure, the average hospital stay for MISS is typically less than 2 days.)
• Can be performed on an outpatient basis (You can go home within hours after surgery.)
• Less anesthesia
• Less post-operative pain
• Smaller incisions (rather than one large incision)
• Less scarring
• Less soft tissue and muscle damage
• Reduced blood loss during surgery
• Reduced risk of infection (especially because incisions are significantly smaller in MISS)

Minimally invasive spine surgery seems like an attractive option, but that doesn't mean that everyone is a good candidate for MISS.

For example, if you have a certain type of spinal tumor or infection, minimally invasive spine surgery may not be an option for you. However, MISS may be a good choice for older patients or other patients who are considered poor candidates for traditional open spine surgery.

Like any type of surgery, there are certain risks associated with minimally invasive spine surgery, such as:

• allergic reactions
• blood clots
• incision problems
• infections
• need for additional surgeries
• pain and discomfort
• paralysis
• reaction to anesthesia
• stroke

As always, talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have regarding minimally invasive spine surgery and be sure to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of MISS.