Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

For many years, traditional spinal surgery has usually involved making a large incision up and down the middle of the back, and spreading apart (or retracting) the back muscles to access the spine. This is commonly referred to as an "open" technique. One of the advantages of open techniques is that the large incision provides the surgeon with easy access to the spinal anatomy. The downside of "open" spine surgery is that the muscle retraction damages the spinal muscles and can cause significant postoperative pain. In addition, such surgery results in significant blood loss, a large scar and relatively long recovery times.

While in many instances "open" techniques are still preferred, more and more conditions are now being surgically treated using new techniques called minimally invasive spine surgery. Our orthopedic surgeons are well trained in these new spine surgery techniques and offer minimally invasive spine surgery as an alternative to open surgical techniques.

Why Choose Us?

  • For nearly a decade, our team of specially trained physicians has performed hundreds of minimally invasive spine surgeries
  • Sharp Memorial Hospital is one of the few hospitals in San Diego that performs minimally invasive spine surgery
  • We are committed to providing a patient-centered experience by treating each patient with personal, expert care and developing a treatment plan specially designed for each patient 
  • We use the latest, state-of-the-art surgical technology, including Nuvasive®, which usually results in shorter operative time and hospital stay, less pain and scarring and faster recovery for patients

What Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
As the name suggests, minimally invasive spine surgery allows the surgeon to make smaller incisions in the skin and avoid large muscle retraction. In certain situations, the surgeon uses a thin, telescope-like instrument called an endoscope, which is inserted through a small incision. A tiny video camera and light are connected to the endoscope and send images from inside the body to a screen in the operating room. Small tubes are then inserted through other small incisions. Special surgical instruments are inserted through these tubes and used to perform the surgical procedure.

Advantages of Minimally Invasive Techniques
Minimally invasive spine surgery generally results in the same surgical outcome as with more traditional techniques. However, there are a number of advantages to minimally invasive techniques, including:

  • Less soft tissue damage, due to reduced muscle retraction
  • Recovery is faster and with less postoperative pain
  • Reduced blood loss 
  • Reduced operative times
  • Shortened hospital stay 
  • Since incisions are much smaller, scarring is less noticeable and cosmetically more pleasing
  • Surgical incisions are less painful
Spinal Conditions Treated With Minimally Invasive Surgery

Patient Resources

For More Information
To learn more about orthopedics at Sharp or to find a Sharp-affiliated doctor, search for San Diego orthopedic surgeons or call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. To find general information about orthopedics, visit Orthopedic Surgery in Adult Health or read the Orthopedics News archive.