| Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) treats problems like herniated discs and stenosis through small incisions using tubular retractors that spread muscle instead of cutting it, guided by a microscope or endoscope and imaging. For appropriate patients it can mean less blood loss, less pain, and faster recovery than open surgery — though complex cases are still better served open. |
Medically reviewed by Kanwarpaul Grewal, DO — Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, UCSF Complex Spine & Deformity Fellowship. Reviewed July 2026.
How it differs from open surgery
Instead of a long incision that strips muscle off the spine, MISS works through a narrow channel, preserving the muscle. That’s the main reason recovery is often quicker.
It’s not “laser surgery”
“Laser spine surgery” is a marketing term; MISS relies on precise instruments and visualization, not a laser to “vaporize” discs.
Sources: AAOS OrthoInfo — Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery; MISS outcomes literature.
