The Difference Between Laser Spine Surgery and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

As more and more healthcare facilities use the phrase “minimally invasive,” a few surgery centers have started to push the phrase “laser spine surgery” and it has caused some confusion on the difference between minimally invasive spine surgery and laser spine surgery.

The truth is, these key marketing phrases like laser spine surgery do not mean that they are providing a more advanced minimally invasive service. The laser is simply used to perform the cutting of the spinal components, for example the herniated disc.

“You don’t necessarily need a laser to perform these procedures,” says Doctor Won, “because a coagulating device, which is a lot cheaper, can achieve about the same amount of work.”

Dr. Won goes on to say that “sometimes the laser does make the procedure easier, but people love the word laser.” The phrase ‘laser spine surgery’ is “mainly for marketing.”

Whether the surgeons use a laser or a coagulating device, those tools are not the differentiating factor that makes this procedure innovative. The key to minimally invasive spine surgery is that the incision is only 3mm which leads to less anesthesia, less recovery time, less trauma, less blood loss, and less scarring.

So the point is, laser spine surgery is not any different from minimally invasive spine surgery. Laser spine surgery is a method of minimally invasive spine surgery. It is merely a part of the process, not a new technique.

Tags: back surgery, Dr Douglas Won, endoscope, Laser Spine Surgery, Medical Questions, medical terms, spine surgery