Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery for Scoliosis

[jeremypayne]

Minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) for scoliosis represents a significant advancement in treating complex spinal deformities, offering a less traumatic approach compared to traditional open procedures. Its key procedures encompass various techniques tailored to the patient's age and curve type: for adult or mature adolescent patients, this often involves minimally invasive spinal fusion, where affected vertebrae are stabilized and corrected using small tubes or retractors to insert instrumentation and bone graft. For select growing patients, particularly adolescents, Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT) has emerged as a motion-preserving alternative, utilizing an anterior approach to place screws into the vertebral bodies connected by a flexible cord, which, as the patient grows, guides the spine to straighten naturally. These innovative Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery for Scoliosis approaches collectively aim to reduce recovery times, shorten hospital stays, and improve cosmetic outcomes, transforming the surgical journey for many individuals battling scoliosis.