• Lower infection rate – in fact , minimallyinvasive procedures decrease the risk of postsurgical infection by 200-300 %.
• Faster return to activities
Although there is nothing wrong with traditional spine surgery techniques , minimally-invasive procedures are better for patients . Minimallyinvasive surgical options are commonly used in other areas of surgery such as the gallbladder , hysterectomies , etc . for the same reasons – the patients have been outcomes . However , minimallyinvasive spinal procedures are less common simply because they are heard to learn and master . This is despite the fact that they have been around and evolving for the last 20 years . These techniques are rarely taught or mastered in traditional spine surgery training programs , so surgeons have to seek additional training and practice to get proficient in these techniques .
Minimally invasive surgery creates a working channel through a tube or cannula in order to see and do the work . This leads to less scaring and less damage to the surrounding tissue ( See graphic on next page ).
“ We use a lot of technology to help us “ see ” what we can ’ t see with our eyes inside the spine during our procedures including : three-dimensional x-ray technology , live nerve monitoring , and more ,” Dr . Kravetz said . “ This technology helps us see inside the body so we can see exactly what we are doing without having to cut open the back for the procedure .”
While traditional spinal surgery will certainly solve your back problems , the benefits of minimallyinvasive spinal procedures are seen most in the recovery of patients after surgery .
Dr . Kravetz is among a relatively small group of spine specialists who use minimally invasive techniques to treat complex spine cases , such as
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