How to Incorporate Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Practice?

Abstract

The primary aim of any spine surgeon is continual development of one’s techniques and thus achieve better clinical and functional patient outcomes. In a world where even the ‘gold standard’ conventional open surgery is looked upon with apprehension, minimally invasive spine surgery with its steep learning curve and inherent challenges makes it difficult for surgeons to inculcate it in one’s practice. The authors aim to encourage spine surgeons of all ages, suggest the difficulties encountered with ways and means to overcome them backed up with scientific evidence on how to incorporate minimally invasive spine surgery into clinical practice. The authors based on their observation have divided spine surgeons of all ages into three groups-Beginner (who has not yet started their practice), Amateur (with few years into clinical practice) and Thespian (well established into practice). They suggest their mindset, advantages, disadvantages and ways to learn and incorporate MISS into practice. The authors lay emphasis on the scope of MISS with various approaches and surgical techniques that are possible with it. However, they feel that one of the pre requisites for practicing MIS is to become a good ‘open’ and ‘conventional’ surgeon first and be thoroughly aware of the anatomical landmarks. Thus, it is possible to incorporate MIS into practice at any age group with ample opportunities to learn which requires investment of time, money and energy. The most important motivating factor to do so is the conviction that comes after observing the results.

Keywords

• minimally invasive spine surgery [miss]
• clinical practice
• beginner
• amateur
• experienced