Complex Spine Surgeries

Problems like spinal abnormalities, failed back surgery syndrome, and other complex conditions require specialized care. Board certified and highly skilled neurosurgeon Yan Michael Li, MD, PhD, at the Minimally Invasive Brain and Spine Institute, is an expert in complex spine surgeries. He performs revisions, multilevel fusion, and other procedures using the most sophisticated techniques and advanced robotic technology. Call the Minimally Invasive Brain and Spine Institute’s office in San Antonio or Houston, Texas, or Upstate, New York, today or book an appointment online to learn more about benefiting from complex spine surgery.

What are complex spine surgeries?

Complex spine surgeries treat complicated conditions affecting the neck and back. These procedures include:

Revision spine surgery

If your first procedure didn’t solve the original condition, you might require revision spine surgery. Other problems revision spine surgery addresses include:

• Infections
• Disc reherniation
• Fusion failure
• New spinal instability
• Implant or hardware failure

Artificial replacement discs and hardware like screws can sometimes develop faults.

Spinal abnormality surgery

Spinal abnormalities include severe scoliosis, where the spine curves to the left and/or right. These conditions can be complicated to correct without creating new areas of pain and restriction, especially in adults. Dr. Li uses complex spine surgery to adjust and stabilize your spine without causing additional problems.

Multisegment surgery

Your spine consists of three parts — the cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine (upper back), and lumbar spine (lower back). Some surgeries involve more than one segment from two or more of these areas. The more segments involved, the more complex your spine surgery will be.

What procedures might complex spine surgeries use?

Complex spine surgeries can combine several procedures depending on what problems Dr. Li is treating. These can include:

Discectomy

Discectomy surgery removes a herniated disc, while microdiscectomy removes just the damaged part of the disc. After discectomy, you might require fusion. Dr. Li fuses the vertebrae on either side of the space left by the damaged disc using bone grafts. Alternatively, you might be suitable for an artificial disc replacement.

Decompression

Decompression surgeries remove parts of the spine that are pressing on nerves. This can include thickened ligaments, bone spurs, or parts of the vertebrae. Laminectomy removes the lamina at the back of the vertebra, while laminotomy partially removes this bone. Fusion might be needed after decompression.

Corpectomy

Corpectomy removes the disc and vertebra when both are too damaged to preserve.

Which techniques are used in complex spine surgeries?

At the Minimally Invasive Brain and Spine Institute, Dr. Li uses minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) techniques where possible rather than open surgery. MISS requires much smaller incisions than open surgery, so you suffer far less tissue damage and pain and recover more quickly.

MISS might use lasers (light energy), a spinal endoscope (a tiny camera that sends images of the spine to a video screen), and/or retractors (tubes that push muscles aside to access the spine).

Dr. Li uses GPS® robotic navigation platform for unrivaled precision when performing complex spine surgeries.

Call the Minimally Invasive Brain and Spine Institute today or book an appointment online to learn how you can benefit from complex spine surgery.