Choice of Minimally invasive Approaches: A Review of Unique Risks and Complications

In the last two decades, spine surgery has witnessed an evolution of minimally invasive procedures. Despite established evidence of long-term efficacy, conventional open surgical approaches are associated with high morbidity that can sometimes mitigate clinical benefits. On the other hand, minimally invasive surgical techniques are purported to minimize soft tissue trauma and, therefore, offer the advantages of decreased blood loss, reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospitalization, facilitate quicker recovery and rehabilitation, and delay progression of adjacent level degeneration and deformity.