How many sections of cervical spine can be minimally invasive

Minimally invasive cervical spine surgery is usually performed on one or two segments. Minimally invasive cervical spine surgery is mainly used in cases of herniated discs, where the herniated disc is removed by foraminoscopy, and in cases of spinal stenosis, where the ligamentum flavum is removed and decompression is performed. The scope of surgery is mainly limited to lesions, such as single-segment herniated discs. In general, a maximum of two segments are done. If more segments are done, it will cause mutual interference of the operation field, cervical instability, etc., which will increase the risk of surgery. In addition, although it is a minimally invasive surgery, there will be local trauma and bleeding, usually take local anesthesia, if the operation time is long local anesthesia effect can not be maintained for too long, but also prone to cause difficulties in patient cooperation. Therefore, if the scope of the surgery is large and involves more than 2 segments, the doctor will recommend the choice of open surgery. The choice of cervical spine surgery and the surgical plan need to be combined with the individual’s condition, and should be specifically consulted with the receiving doctor.