Types of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
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There are several types of minimally invasive spine surgery, and here at the Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas, our surgeon recommends a specific MIS surgery method based on the patient’s condition.
Generally, the objective of MIS surgery is the stabilization of the vertebral bones and joints in the spine. The purpose is to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves to help improve the symptoms of spinal instability, bone spurs, tumors, herniated discs, and scoliosis.
Types of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
There are various types of minimally invasive spine surgery. Let us tell you about each one that we use here in the Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas.
Cervical Laminoforaminotomy
A Cervical Laminoforaminotomy is a minimally invasive spine surgery, which requires the surgeon to make an incision in the back of the neck to approach the area of concern. The goal of this type of MIS surgery is to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves.
The surgery involves the removal of bone or joint portion overlying on the spinal nerve. It also involves the removal of soft tissue that causes compression. Compared to anterior cervical discectomy, the cervical laminoforaminotomy reduces the risk of damages to interior structures, such as the trachea, esophagus, carotid, and the laryngeal nerve.
Posterior Cervical Facet Fusion
Posterior Cervical Facet Fusion is one of the types of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery that requires the surgeon to mend two or more spinal bones. The surgery requires the surgeon to make an incision in the back of the neck and place the bone graft material along the sides of the bones in the spine. Over time, the bones fuse together into a single, solid bone.
Lumbar Laminotomy or Discectomy
Lumbar Laminotomy or Discectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure carried out by the spine surgeons at the Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas. The surgery involves the surgeon to decompress the spinal canal in the low back (lumbar) or the neck (cervical).
Generally, it involves a right-sided or left-sided approach that helps relieve pressure on your spinal cord, which is usually due to the narrowing of the spinal canal or spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is a condition that leads to numbness or pain in the legs. It may also cause balance issues and poor posture.
So, lumbar laminotomy or discectomy is one of the best MIS surgery options for patients who suffer from radiculopathy, neurogenic claudication, and lumbar stenosis.
Lumbar Foraminotomy or Lateral Discectomy
When it comes to types of minimally invasive spine surgery, our surgeon also uses lumbar foraminotomy. It is a decompression surgery, which allows for enlarging the passageway of the spinal canal to make the nerve root exit properly.
During the procedure, our spine surgeon will remove the tissue or bone to clear the obstruction. Also, the surgery is useful when it comes to relieving pressure or compression on the spinal nerve root. The primary goal is to relieve pressure, inflammation, pain caused by a pinched spinal nerve root.
Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Also known as TLIF, this type of MIS surgery requires the surgeon to fuse the bones of the spine. The surgeon places the bone graft after making the incision in the back. Once the bone graft material is placed, it heals over time and solidifies the two vertebrae into a single, solid bone.
Lumbar interbody fusion is an operation performed by the surgeons to treat a wide range of spinal problems, including the back and leg pain caused by spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease.
Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Also known as LLIF, this lumbar interbody fusion is one of the best types of minimally invasive spine surgery performed to treat disc-related issues in the lower spine. The surgery involves the surgeon to join two or more spinal bones to stop the pain, decompressed or pinched nerves, as well as treat scoliosis.
LLIF is the MIS procedure, which enables the surgeon to make a small incision in your waist, particularly in the side, to remove the disc and insert the bone graft material. The purpose is to restore the height and fix the pinched nerve. The bones will fuse and turn into a single, solid bone over time.
Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Another type of MIS spine surgery, OLIF, requires the surgeon to approach the lower spine from the body’s front or side. OLIF is a minimally invasive approach used to treat a wide range of spinal conditions, including degenerative disc and deformity.
Percutaneous Spinal Instrumentation
Generally, they are special devices used by the surgeon to treat spinal stenosis. The surgeon places the devices, such as Superion or X-Stop in the spine of the patient through a tiny incision.
Thoracic Discectomy or Interbody fusion
Thoracic Discectomy, also called interbody fusion, is a minimally invasive surgery that involves the removal of herniated discs in the thoracic spine. Here at the Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas, our surgeons believe that it is beneficial for patients who have problems like disc herniation, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the spine. Also, it useful for those who have thoracic myelopathy.
Sacroiliac Joint Fusion
The SI Joint Fusion is an MIS surgery technique in which the surgeon uses instrumentation or bone graft material to enable bone growth over the SI joint. The surgery has an 80-95% success rate and can effectively decrease pain, numbness, and instability, which are caused by inflammation or SI joint dysfunction. It is one of the best types of minimally invasive spine surgery performed at MINT.
