Minimally Invasive Surgery Specialist

What is minimally invasive spine surgery?

Minimally invasive spine surgery involves the use of specialized instruments to access the spine and conduct surgery through small incisions.

Traditional spine surgery involves incisions that can be up to six inches long, while those in minimally invasive surgeries can be as small as an inch. The latter uses instruments such as:

• Lasers
• Endoscopes
• Operating microscopes
• Computer-aided navigation systems

How does minimally invasive spine surgery work?

Dr. Nomoto uses specialized tools to perform the surgery. A fluoroscopy displays real-time X-ray images of your spine. An operating microscope magnifies the view through what’s called a tubal retractor, surgical equipment that creates a passageway for Dr. Nomoto to reach the target area.

During the procedure, he makes a small incision and inserts a tubular retractor through your skin and soft tissues, and into your spinal column. Dr. Nomoto uses small instruments that fit through the center of the tubular retractor and removes any necessary bone through the retractor as well.

Any screws or rods that Dr. Nomoto needs for a fusion surgery are also inserted through the retractor. Some surgeries might require the use of more than one retractor.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures

• Cervical & Lumbar micro decompression
• Cervical & Lumbar micro discectomy
• XLIF procedure (Minimally Invasive Lateral Lumbar Fusion)
• Laminotomy
• Minimally invasive cervical and lumbar fusions
• ALIF - Anterior Lumbar Fusions
• MIS TLIF - Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
• MIS PLIF  /TLIF - Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
• ACDF - Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fusion
• Cervical artificial disc replacement
• Lumbar artificial disc replacement
• Coflex procedure (Spinous Process stabilization)

What are the benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery?

Minimally invasive spine surgery has many benefits compared to traditional surgery, including:

• Less recovery time
• Decreased blood loss
• Less postoperative pain
• Less scarring due to smaller incisions and surgical tools
• Increased accuracy due to advanced computer-aided navigation
• Improved technology including surgical materials, computer-aided navigation, and nerve monitoring

Dr. Nomoto can perform some minimally invasive spine surgeries with an incision of less than an inch. The procedure is entirely safe and effective for patients dealing with back pain and other spinal-related conditions.

If you’re interested in learning more about minimally invasive spine surgery, call or book online to visit Dr. Nomoto, an orthopedic and spine surgeon with many years of experience.