Minimal Access Spinal Technology

A number of studies have indicated that an open approach and prolonged periods of retraction during spine surgery can impact the paraspinals musculature. In some instances, the soft tissue trauma secondary to open lumbar surgery can affect recovery.

 

Now, state-of-the-art minimal access procedures performed by Dr. Todd C. Bonvallet of Spine Surgery Associates, can provide the reliability of the conventional, gold standard, open surgery while minimizing the potential for soft tissue trauma. Because they do not require the dissection of the paraspinals musculature, these minimally invasive procedures offer advantages, including: minimizing blood loss, reduced post-surgical pain and shorter hospital stays, and potentially faster returns to normal function. 

 

Access to the spinal column is achieved with a series of sequential dilators inserted through incisions of less than one inch. A working cannula inserted at the level of the vertebrae allows the application of open surgical techniques for a variety of procedures, including discectomy, laminectomy and multi-level spinal fusion.  Lumbar interbody fusions for several spinal disorders can be performed via minimal access techniques.

 

Utilization of a percutaneous screw/rod insertion system enables Dr. Bonvallet to connect percutaneously inserted pedicle screws along the posterior aspect of the spine with a rigid rod in order to stabilize the intervening motion segments, accomplishing the same goals as a conventional open procedure. Dr. Bonvallet’s use of bone morphogenetic protein, a genetically engineered version of a naturally occurring protein capable of inducing normal bone formation or regeneration in targeted areas of the spine, further facilitates the fusion and eliminates the need for painful autograft surgery.