Perspective - (2025) Volume 14, Issue 2
Received: 01-Apr-2025, Manuscript No. jsp-26-182235;
Editor assigned: 03-Apr-2025, Pre QC No. P-182235;
Reviewed: 17-Apr-2025, QC No. Q-182235;
Revised: 22-Apr-2025, Manuscript No. R-182235;
Published:
29-Apr-2025
, DOI: 10.37421/2165-7939.2025.14.714
Citation: MartÃnez, Elena R.. "Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Better Outcomes, Faster Recovery." J Spine 14 (2025):714.
Copyright: © 2025 MartÃnez R. Elena This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Minimally invasive techniques (MITs) in spine surgery represent a significant evolution, aiming to reduce tissue damage, operative time, and hospital stay while improving patient outcomes. These approaches encompass a range of technologies and surgical strategies, including tubular retractors, endoscopic systems, and percutaneous instrumentation. The primary goal is to achieve the same surgical objectives as open procedures with a smaller incision and less disruption to surrounding musculature and ligaments. This leads to decreased postoperative pain, reduced blood loss, and quicker recovery. While MITs offer numerous advantages, careful patient selection, specialized training, and advanced technological support are crucial for successful implementation [1].
The application of endoscopy in spinal surgery has opened new avenues for treating various pathologies, from disc herniations to spinal stenosis. Endoscopic discectomy, for example, allows for precise removal of herniated disc material through a small portal, preserving paraspinal muscles and offering rapid rehabilitation. Its efficacy and safety profile are well-established, particularly for lumbar pathologies. Challenges remain in adapting endoscopic techniques for more complex reconstructions or fusions, but ongoing technological advancements are continually expanding its utility [2].
Percutaneous techniques have revolutionized spinal fusion and instrumentation. Utilizing specialized guidance systems, such as fluoroscopy or navigation, screws and rods can be inserted through small skin incisions. This approach minimizes muscle stripping and disruption of the posterior spinal elements, leading to reduced perioperative morbidity and faster recovery compared to traditional open procedures. Its application spans degenerative conditions, trauma, and deformity correction [3].
The advent of tubular retractors has been pivotal in enabling minimally invasive spinal decompression and fusion. These systems create a corridor through the paraspinal muscles, allowing for direct visualization and instrument access to the surgical target while minimizing muscle retraction and injury. This leads to less postoperative pain and faster functional recovery. Different sizes and configurations of tubular retractors are available, catering to a wide range of spinal pathologies [4].
Navigation and robotics are increasingly integrated into minimally invasive spine surgery to enhance precision and safety. These technologies provide real-time visualization of surgical instruments relative to patient anatomy, aiding in accurate screw placement and reducing the risk of nerve or vascular injury. Robotic systems offer enhanced dexterity and stability, particularly in complex or challenging anatomical regions [5].
The benefits of minimally invasive spinal decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis include reduced muscle trauma, less blood loss, and shorter hospital stays, often allowing for same-day discharge. Patient selection is key, favoring those with isolated stenosis amenable to decompression via a narrow surgical corridor. While effective, surgeons must be proficient in the technique to avoid complications such as nerve root injury [6].
Minimally invasive spinal fusion techniques, such as transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) performed percutaneously, offer advantages in terms of reduced muscle disruption and faster recovery compared to open approaches. These techniques require specialized instrumentation and expertise to achieve adequate decompression, interbody graft placement, and pedicle screw fixation [7].
The use of microscopic visualization in conjunction with minimally invasive approaches allows for improved magnification and illumination of the surgical field, facilitating precise dissection and removal of pathology while minimizing soft tissue injury. This synergy between microscopy and minimally invasive techniques has become a cornerstone in modern spine surgery [8].
Complications associated with minimally invasive spine surgery are generally related to surgeon experience, patient factors, or technological limitations. Careful preoperative planning, meticulous surgical technique, and appropriate postoperative management are essential to mitigate risks such as infection, neural injury, hardware failure, or pseudoarthrosis [9].
The future of minimally invasive spine surgery lies in further refinement of existing techniques, wider adoption of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and augmented reality, and the development of novel approaches to address complex spinal pathologies. Continued research focusing on long-term outcomes and comparative effectiveness will be crucial [10].
Minimally invasive techniques (MITs) in spine surgery represent a significant evolution, aiming to reduce tissue damage, operative time, and hospital stay while improving patient outcomes. These approaches encompass a range of technologies and surgical strategies, including tubular retractors, endoscopic systems, and percutaneous instrumentation. The primary goal is to achieve the same surgical objectives as open procedures with a smaller incision and less disruption to surrounding musculature and ligaments. This leads to decreased postoperative pain, reduced blood loss, and quicker recovery. While MITs offer numerous advantages, careful patient selection, specialized training, and advanced technological support are crucial for successful implementation [1].
The application of endoscopy in spinal surgery has opened new avenues for treating various pathologies, from disc herniations to spinal stenosis. Endoscopic discectomy, for example, allows for precise removal of herniated disc material through a small portal, preserving paraspinal muscles and offering rapid rehabilitation. Its efficacy and safety profile are well-established, particularly for lumbar pathologies. Challenges remain in adapting endoscopic techniques for more complex reconstructions or fusions, but ongoing technological advancements are continually expanding its utility [2].
Percutaneous techniques have revolutionized spinal fusion and instrumentation. Utilizing specialized guidance systems, such as fluoroscopy or navigation, screws and rods can be inserted through small skin incisions. This approach minimizes muscle stripping and disruption of the posterior spinal elements, leading to reduced perioperative morbidity and faster recovery compared to traditional open procedures. Its application spans degenerative conditions, trauma, and deformity correction [3].
The advent of tubular retractors has been pivotal in enabling minimally invasive spinal decompression and fusion. These systems create a corridor through the paraspinal muscles, allowing for direct visualization and instrument access to the surgical target while minimizing muscle retraction and injury. This leads to less postoperative pain and faster functional recovery. Different sizes and configurations of tubular retractors are available, catering to a wide range of spinal pathologies [4].
Navigation and robotics are increasingly integrated into minimally invasive spine surgery to enhance precision and safety. These technologies provide real-time visualization of surgical instruments relative to patient anatomy, aiding in accurate screw placement and reducing the risk of nerve or vascular injury. Robotic systems offer enhanced dexterity and stability, particularly in complex or challenging anatomical regions [5].
The benefits of minimally invasive spinal decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis include reduced muscle trauma, less blood loss, and shorter hospital stays, often allowing for same-day discharge. Patient selection is key, favoring those with isolated stenosis amenable to decompression via a narrow surgical corridor. While effective, surgeons must be proficient in the technique to avoid complications such as nerve root injury [6].
Minimally invasive spinal fusion techniques, such as transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) performed percutaneously, offer advantages in terms of reduced muscle disruption and faster recovery compared to open approaches. These techniques require specialized instrumentation and expertise to achieve adequate decompression, interbody graft placement, and pedicle screw fixation [7].
The use of microscopic visualization in conjunction with minimally invasive approaches allows for improved magnification and illumination of the surgical field, facilitating precise dissection and removal of pathology while minimizing soft tissue injury. This synergy between microscopy and minimally invasive techniques has become a cornerstone in modern spine surgery [8].
Complications associated with minimally invasive spine surgery are generally related to surgeon experience, patient factors, or technological limitations. Careful preoperative planning, meticulous surgical technique, and appropriate postoperative management are essential to mitigate risks such as infection, neural injury, hardware failure, or pseudoarthrosis [9].
The future of minimally invasive spine surgery lies in further refinement of existing techniques, wider adoption of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and augmented reality, and the development of novel approaches to address complex spinal pathologies. Continued research focusing on long-term outcomes and comparative effectiveness will be crucial [10].
Minimally invasive techniques (MITs) in spine surgery offer significant advantages over traditional open procedures, including reduced tissue damage, operative time, and hospital stays, leading to faster recovery and improved patient outcomes. These approaches leverage technologies such as tubular retractors, endoscopic systems, and percutaneous instrumentation to achieve surgical goals with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues. Endoscopy and percutaneous techniques are particularly effective for specific conditions like disc herniations and spinal fusion, respectively. Advanced technologies like navigation and robotics are further enhancing precision and safety. While MITs have revolutionized spine surgery, successful implementation requires careful patient selection, specialized surgeon training, and appropriate technological support. Potential complications, though generally lower than open surgery, must be managed through meticulous planning and technique. The field continues to evolve with the integration of AI and augmented reality, promising further advancements in treating complex spinal pathologies.
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Journal of Spine received 2022 citations as per Google Scholar report
