Minimally Invasive Surgery of the Spine: Less Is More

Minimally invasive surgery of the spine (MISS) has become an increasingly popular buzz word in the spine community. What truly constitutes MISS is not entirely clear. We propose that MISS procedures be judged on the basis of the degree to which they spare additional anatomical structures compared with the existing standard as long as the safety and efficacy of the procedure are preserved. In this work we explore this structure-sparing perspective and the anticipated benefits on patient outcomes, against the notion that small incisions or technology dictate MISS.