Keyhole Spinal Surgery

Keyhole Spinal Surgery is the colloquial Endoscopic Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (EMISS) and Fluoroscopically controlled surgery. Regrettably many practitioners claim to be performing MISS when performing conventional procedures through a reduced incision which in reality should be termed Less Invasive Spinal Surgery (LISS). Such procedures include Microdiscectomy performed with a microscope through a 50 mm (2 inch) incision. Endoscopic Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery is performed through an incision of 7.5mm or less.
In addition to the size of the procedure portal one needs to consider the efficacy and appropriateness of the approach to the spine. The most advanced EMISS approaches transforaminally thus addressing the pain sources optimally whilst minimising the disturbance to the epidural space. EMISS via the posterior approach or the anterior approach suffer by missing the ability to address the foraminal pain sources adequately.
The results of treatment are described Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression and Foraminoplasty and Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression