Spinal surgery can seem exceptionally scary, and many people try to avoid spinal surgery at all costs. However, spinal surgery can be nothing to worry about if you have the right doctor and the right treatment plan. Minimally invasive surgery is the easiest surgery for a patient to bounce back from and is widely preferred among patients. Luckily, almost any surgery can be performed under minimally invasive measures. However, sometimes a minimally invasive surgery is not necessarily what the patient needs. Below we discuss the difference between minimally invasive and open surgery, and when each is typically preferred as treatment.
What are the differences between open and minimally invasive surgeries?
One treatment plan, either minimally invasive surgery or open surgery, could seem better than another in the eyes of the patient. However, sometimes minimally invasive surgeries are not the best option for each patient. The major differences between open surgery and minimally invasive surgery include:
- Incision Practices
- Recovery Time
- Equipment Used
Incision practices
pertain to the scarring after surgery, as well as the incision during surgery. In minimally invasive procedures, you will likely have a handful of small scars (about 3 cm) that are hardly noticeable. Whereas, after undergoing open surgery, you will likely have one larger scar due to the surgeon opening the injured area entirely. Neither surgery option is necessarily better, and scarring will result from both treatments.
Recovery time
for each surgery will be quite different. Typically after a patient undergoes a minimally invasive surgery, they must recover for approximately 4-6 weeks. In contrast, a patient undergoing an open spinal surgery will likely have a longer recovery period, closer to 1-2 months.
The equipment used
is the major difference between these types of surgery. Minimally invasive surgeries are derived from the minimalist view and incision to the patient’s injury. Typically in minimally invasive surgery, the surgeon will use small cameras to see the injury subcutaneously (under the skin). Whereas, in open surgery, the surgeon will cut an incision large enough for them to investigate the area themselves. Again, neither option is better than the other; they are merely different.
When are open surgeries a better treatment option?
Typically, most patients prefer minimally invasive surgeries. This is most likely because of the decreased level of recovery and scarring. However, in certain instances, minimally invasive surgeries are not feasible treatment options. Open surgeries are less preferred among patients, however, there are some benefits to having open surgeries. One of the primary benefits of open surgery is the ability of the surgeon to view the entirety of the issue at hand. This means that the surgeon can view not only the issue at the moment but any future issues you might have due to their expansive view. Open surgery may seem scary in comparison to minimally invasive surgery, but in actuality neither is necessarily safer than the other.
So…what now?
Now that we’ve discussed different treatment options, it is up to you and your doctor to determine the best option for you. If you have any questions or are suffering from spinal pain, reach out to Axis Spine Clinic and set up an appointment with Dr. Berg!