About MIS
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Minimally Invasive Spine (MIS) surgery involves the use of specialized equipment to perform spinal surgery through small (<1 inch) incisions. MIS surgery has numerous benefits, including less pain, less blood loss, lower infection risk, faster recovery, and smaller scars. These procedures are often performed on an outpatient basis, with no need for a hospital stay.
How is MIS surgery accomplished?
MIS surgery is performed with the use of the latest imaging technologies including navigation and robotics, which allow for visualization of patient anatomy without the need for big, open incisions and unnecessary damage to healthy tissues. Small incisions are used to target the problem area with precision, minimizing damage and pain to important surrounding structures. When possible, Dr. Clark uses these precise techniques to avoid fusion and to preserve motion.
MIS surgery tubular decompression/fusion
The majority of Dr. Clark's minimally invasive cases are performed through a tubular retractor and with percutaneous incisions. These 14-18mm tubular retractors allow Dr. Clark to visualize the important anatomy, including the nerves and disc space, without having to make a large incision and minimizing injury to the spinal muscles.
In a decompression, a microscope is used to look down the tubular retractor and to clean out the degeneration/disc and ensure that the nerves are free. In a fusion, the tubular retractor is used to clean out the disc space and place a spacer to increase disc height and take pressure off the surrounding nerves. In this case percutaneous screws are often placed to create stability of the segment.
Robotics/navigation
Dr. Clark uses the latest imaging technology to help guide his minimally invasive surgeries. Imaging is used to coordinate reference points on the patient to provide a 3D view of the patient's anatomy, enabling small incisions and precise targeting of the pathology. Often Dr. Clark will use a spinal robot which guides the incisions, decompression, and placement of any hardware.
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