This book describes and illustrates state-of-the-art techniques in laser spine surgery. Laser technology has revolutionized surgeries in many specialties to perform minimally invasive and cutting-edge procedures. Recent advances in spinal surgery have led to the increasingly widespread use of minimally invasive techniques based on endoscopy and microscopy. Nevertheless, the application of laser in the context of spinal surgery remains less well known, and the aim of this book is to present practical usage of laser in spine surgery to our readers. A wide variety of minimally invasive approaches to spine surgery using CO2, Ho: YAG, and Nd: YAG lasers are presented in detail, with a discussion of equipment and specific recommendations on laser settings. Care has been taken to ensure that the content is faithful to the fundamental principles of spine surgery and evidence-based medicine. The book will be an essential resource for all who use or are intending to use lasers in spine surgery.

Millions of people every year experience back pain. In the past, major surgery was often their only recourse. But today, for 80 to 90 percent of back pain sufferers, long-term relief no longer has to involve complicated medical procedures, extended hospital stays, and weeks of recovery. In this informative, user-friendly guide, renowned spine surgeon Dr. Michael Hasz explores options for eliminating back pain without surgery or with minimally invasive surgery. The treatment choices he covers range from weight loss and exercise, to acupuncture and injections, to recent developments in regenerative and stem cell therapies. In addition, he details the most accurate and up-to-date diagnostics, as well as the evolution in laser technology, which has led to more accurate and effective surgeries. There's no need to suffer any longer. This invaluable resource will help you make the right decisions about procedures and lifestyle, and point you down the path to being pain-free.

This book describes and illustrates a variety of minimally invasive approaches to the thoracic spine, covering procedures applicable in not only degenerative diseases but also deformities and trauma. Surgery to the thoracic spine is demanding because of the surrounding ribs, lungs, heart, and large blood vessels and the challenges posed by the vulnerable spinal cord within a relatively small spinal canal. Consequently, postsurgical morbidity is often high. In this context, minimally invasive surgery offers significant benefits, but to date, comprehensive coverage in textbooks is lacking owing to the limited experience in the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques. This book will be ideal for all who are searching for clear guidance that is faithful to the established principles of spine surgery and evidence-based medicine. In addition to the comprehensive coverage of procedures appropriate in different pathologies, including thoracic disc herniation, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, ossification of the ligamentum flavum, and stenosis, individual chapters address the transforaminal endoscopic approach, interventional treatment, intraoperative neuromonitoring, and navigation for thoracic spine surgery.

In the past few years spine surgery has undergone revolutionary changes leading towards minimally invasive techniques. This book is a survey of microsurgical as well as endoscopic surgical techniques for the treatment of a variety of spinal disorders. The structure of the individual chapters includes terminology, history, surgical principles, advantages/disadvantages, indications, surgical technique, complications and hazards as well as results. However all chapters are focused on a very didactic presentation of surgical steps. Thus, the reader will get familiar with a variety of new techniques some of which are already integrated into clinical routine others still being part of ongoing clinical trials and development.

Radiologists, orthopedic and neurological surgeons present the different minimally invasive methods. Peripheral nerve problems and problems concerning differential diagnosis in special situations such as between radicular and peripheral nerve trunk lesions are discussed, pinpointing the significance of different diagnostic tools. Minimally invasive techniques, utilized nowadays to minimize bone demolition, scarring and risk of recurrence are analyzed. Microdiscectomy is compared with the results of intradiscal techniques, and new methods are discussed facing problems such as epidural fibrotisation, microinstability, osteoporotic or neoplastic or posttraumatic vertebral lesions.

Minimally invasive procedures are increasingly utilized and are replacing open surgery to reduce scarring and pain, enhance patient recovery, and minimize cost. This guide provides step-by-step guidance, expert instruction, and detailed illustration of the most recent minimally invasive orthopedic spine procedures. With a variety of chapters covering critical developments in the field including the utilization of biologic materials, image-guided surgery, and bone fusion, this guide delves into discussions of indications, methods for preoperative planning, complication avoidance strategies, and patient outcomes.

This book includes operative videos and teaches the reader how to perform all currently available minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) techniques. Each chapter covers a MISS procedure and includes an introduction, indications and contraindications, surgical technique, pitfalls and pearls, discussion, conclusion, references, videos and figures. Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Techniques is aimed at spine surgeons who are interested in learning or improving their MISS skills.