Minimally invasive surgery for the lumbar spine

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Spinal Surgery

Background:

• Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) is advancing, aiming to reduce patient morbidity and enhance recovery.
• MISS techniques are established across spinal regions, with extensive documentation for degenerative lumbar spine conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the rationale and techniques for minimally invasive lumbar decompression.
• To review the rationale and techniques for minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

Main Methods:

• Literature review of minimally invasive lumbar decompression techniques.
• Literature review of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) techniques.

Main Results:

• Minimally invasive lumbar decompression offers potential benefits over open procedures.
• Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is a well-studied approach for lumbar fusion.

Conclusions:

• Minimally invasive spine surgery provides a viable alternative to traditional approaches for lumbar spine conditions.
• Understanding MISS techniques is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes in spinal surgery.