Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery is available for a number of spinal disorders, ranging from degenerative diseases to spinal tumors. These procedures have potential to greatly benefit patients by reducing surgical risk, pain, blood loss, risk of infection, and time to recovery. Our specialists have extensive training and experience in minimally invasive spinal techniques, some of which can be performed in the outpatient setting. Instrumentation designed for these procedures allow for improved visualization and mobility.

Minimally Invasive Techniques for the Cervical Spine

Indication	Minimally Invasive Procedure
Herniated discs	Foraminotomy and discectomy
Degenerative spinal disease	Foraminotomy Fusion
Fractures Trauma	Fusion
Tumors	Decompression Resection

 

Minimally Invasive Techniques for the Thoracic Spine

Minimally invasive thoracoscopy techniques for anterior thoracic spine tumors use three to four small incicions through which the tumor can be removed. A voice-activated robotic arm aids in this surgery by following commands and helping to position the thoracoscopic camera for visualization. The UCSF Spine Center is one of the only centers in the United States to offer minimally invasive transpedicular thoracic discectomies and minimally invasive transpedicular corpectomies for spine tumors.

Indication	Minimally Invasive Procedure
Herniated discs with cord compression	Transpedicular discectomy Costotransversectomy
Fractures Instability	Fusion
Tumors	Thoracoscopic robotic surgery Posterior resection

 

 

Minimally Invasive Techniques for the Lumbar Spine

 

Indication	Minimally Invasive Procedure
Herniated discs Cauda equina syndrome	Discectomy Lamino-foraminotomy
Spondylosis/ Spondylolisthesis	Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) Posterolateral fusion
Stenosis	Lamino-foraminotomy
Tumors	Resection (with or without fusion)
Psuedoarthrosis	Revision fusion