Thanks to today’s innovative technology, many spine procedures that once required open surgery can now be done using minimally invasive surgery. As a spinal surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive surgery, Benjamin Cohen, MD, has the expertise you can depend upon when you need surgical intervention. If you have questions about minimally invasive surgery or you’d like to schedule an appointment, use the online booking form or call the office in Garden City, New York.
Minimally invasive surgery is performed using techniques that are barely intrusive, especially when compared with open surgery. During a minimally invasive procedure, Dr. Cohen makes very small incisions — typically one or two — and uses specialized surgical tools in narrow tubes that are easily inserted through the incisions.
Depending on the type of surgery, Dr. Cohen uses an operating microscope or an endoscope to see the surgical site. Both provide lighting and a magnified view of your spinal tissues.
The primary benefit of minimally invasive surgery is that it avoids the trauma caused by open surgery. During open surgery, your surgeon makes one long incision that cuts through the skin and underlying muscles and tissues. Then the tissues are pulled back until the opening is large enough for the surgeon to access your spine.
Minimally invasive surgery is a muscle-sparing technique because Dr. Cohen doesn’t need to cut the muscles. Instead, he makes a small cut through your skin, then uses a retractor to gently move muscle fibers out of the way, gradually creating a space that accommodates the narrow tools.
You’ll also gain health benefits such as:
When you have minimally invasive surgery, your hospital stay is significantly shorter. In most cases, you’ll go home the same day or in 1-2 days. By comparison, traditional surgery means you’ll be in the hospital for at least 3-5 days.
Some types of spinal surgery still require open surgery, but Dr. Cohen performs numerous procedures using minimally invasive surgery, including:
These surgical procedures are used to treat conditions such as:
When you need spinal surgery, schedule an appointment online or call Benjamin Cohen, MD, to learn whether you’re a good candidate for minimally invasive surgery.