title: The development of minimally invasive spine surgery.
abstract: The modern era of minimally invasive spine surgery has its roots in percutaneous techniques developed in the mid-twentieth century. The widespread application of minimally invasive techniques seen today is predicated on technologic developments of only the past 10 years, however. This article reviews the development of minimally invasive spinal surgery as it has evolved for the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Each new development has sought to equal or improve on the effectiveness demonstrated by comparable open surgical techniques while reducing iatrogenic tissue trauma and resultant postoperative pain and disability, to produce overall better outcomes for patients.
authors.affiliation: Section of Neurosurgery, The University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC-3026, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. rfessler@surgery.bsd.uchicago.edu
authors.forename: Richard G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Fessler
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: O'Toole
authors.forename: Kurt M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Eichholz
authors.forename: Mick J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Perez-Cruet
mesh_terms: D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D017587:Diskectomy, Percutaneous / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000592:standards*; D013131:Spine / Q000601:surgery; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae