Minimally Invasive Spinal Neurosurgery (MISN)

Overview

Minimally Invasive Spinal Neurosurgery (MISN) is a technique designed to decrease the amount of disruption to the tissues of the body while still accomplishing the treatment goals. Minimally Invasive Spinal Neurosurgery involves using small openings with less muscle dissection, such as a small tube (<2 cm), to perform decompression and image guidance with small incisions to perform fusion surgeries.

Benefits

The benefits of MISN are less post-operative pain, less blood loss, and shorter length of stay in the hospital. Some patients find they can also return to normal activities more quickly. For patients with other medical problems (such as cancer or heart problems), these procedures can lead to a faster return to their medications and other treatments.

Procedures and Techniques

Many MISN procedures are done through a tube or a small incision with limited muscle dissection. Procedures to decompress the nerves and/or fuse the spine can be performed using MISN techniques. Advanced imaging techniques and navigation are used to perform these procedures.

Decompression Procedures

• Laminectomy
• Discectomy
• Resection of mass

Fusion Procedures

• Transforaminal Interbody Fusion (TLIF)
• Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF)
• Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
• Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation

Motion-Sparing Surgery

• Cervical Arthroplasty

Pain Management Procedures

• Spinal Cord Stimulators

Patient Information

Patients with degenerative spine disease, traumatic injuries to the spine, tumors or cancer in the spine, and pain are possible candidates for Minimally Invasive Spinal Neurosurgery. While treating patients with a minimally invasive technique is always our goal, sometimes these techniques are not best for patients because of their disease. A spine surgeon can help guide you through this decision to find the best treatment for you.