Minimally Invasive Surgery for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis is caused from a variety of compressive pathologic insults to the cauda equina and is a relatively common spinal disorder, the incidence of which increases with age. Failed conservative management with recalcitrant symptoms secondary to lumbar spinal stenosis often necessitates operative intervention to alleviate the compressive pathology. Minimally invasive surgery has been implemented to treat lumbar spinal stenosis with the goal of decreasing approach-related morbidity while achieving the goals of the more conventional open procedures. The goal of this article is to review the state of minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with its associated benefits and risks.