Home | Treatments | Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
Long Island

Home | Treatments | Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

How Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Minimizes Risk

Minimally invasive spine surgery refers to a wide range of procedures that involve making a few small incisions to perform spine surgery. Traditional (open) spine surgeries involve one long incision, through which the surgeon makes the necessary adjustments to the spinal column, vertebrae, spinal discs, and nerve roots. But minimally invasive spine surgery is performed through a few small incisions, usually under fluoroscopy guidance, thus ensuring better results with minimal risks.

Dr. Kakoulides often performs minimally invasive spinal surgery on Long Island (instead of open surgery) because it minimizes blood loss during surgery, minimizes the risk of complications, involves less pain, and ensures faster recovery. Most patients can resume most daily activities within a few days instead of a few weeks. Thanks to advanced tools and techniques, open surgery is no longer necessary and, in fact, should be avoided.

When is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Needed?

Minimally invasive spine surgery is suitable for patients with painful spinal conditions, especially those leading to severe neurologic symptoms, such as loss of mobility, numbness, tingling sensations, and muscle weakness. You may need a minimally invasive spine surgery if any of the components around your spine are damaged, such as the vertebrae, herniated discs, intervertebral discs, nerve roots, spinal cord, or the surrounding muscles and ligaments. You may need minimally invasive spinal surgery on Long Island in the following situations:

Degenerative Disc Disease:

The spinal discs between the vertebrae lose moisture, become thinner and flatter, and may develop bone spurs, making them incapable of absorbing the shock of vertebral movements.

Disc Herniation:

A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner nucleus of the spinal discs may bulge out via cracks and tears in the outer shell. The bulging components may pinch the surrounding nerve roots.

Facet Joint Arthritis:

The soft, fluid cartilage that covers the facet joints gradually thins and wears out, leading to bone spurs that pinch the surrounding nerve roots.

Spinal Tumors:

A benign or malignant growth on the spine or spinal cord may press against the nerve roots and spinal cord, causing pain and discomfort.

Spinal Stenosis:

The spaces between the spinal vertebrae might become narrower because of numerous conditions, placing pressure on the nerve roots exiting through the spine.

Spondylolisthesis:

A condition wherein one of the vertebrae of the spine slips out of place and slides onto the vertebra underneath, leading to nerve compression and pain.

Scoliosis:

This is a sideways curvature of the spinal column — it can be congenital, or it can happen because of cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.

Spinal Fractures:

The vertebrae of the spinal column may get dislocated, damaged, or fractured because of injuries, trauma, and accidents.

MEET EXPERT LONG ISLAND SPINE SURGEON DR. KAKOULIDES

Dr. George Kakoulides, the eminent neurosurgeon of Long Island, brings expertise in complex spine surgeries, blending innovation with compassionate care. Armed with accolades from Tufts University School of Medicine and The Fletcher School, his tenure at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center honed his skills. Affiliated with Long Island Brain & Spine, his holistic approach tailors treatments for each patient, integrating conservative methods with advanced surgical techniques. A pioneer in enhancing patient experiences, he co-founded IKONA, revolutionizing healthcare. Dr. Kakoulides, renowned for his kindness and expertise, is shaping the future of neurosurgery, one patient at a time, setting the standard for excellence on Long Island’s medical community.

A Last Resort

While minimally invasive spinal surgery on Long Island ensures safe results with minimal risks, it should only be considered a last resort option. Dr. Kakoulides always favors conservative treatments over surgery. He tries to address the root cause of your spinal concerns with physical therapy, rest, chiropractic care, and injections. He only resorts to minimally invasive spine surgery if all conservative solutions fail or if you have the symptoms of severe spinal cord dysfunction, known as myelopathy.

Myelopathy is a spinal cord dysfunction that leads to numerous neurologic symptoms, such as the loss of mobility, instability, loss of bladder control, muscle weakness, and numbness and tingling sensations. The onset of neurologic symptoms indicates that your spinal cord or nerve roots are severely compressed or pinched because of the underlying spinal condition. If you don’t address the situation soon, you may also suffer paralysis. Minimally invasive spine surgery is the ideal solution in this case.

xrays before minimally invasive spinal surgery in long island

What are the benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

Involves a few small incisions instead of one large incision
Minimal blood loss and bleeding during surgery
Minimal risk of complications, such as infections
Optimal precision, thanks to fluoroscopy and other imaging tools
Minimal pain and discomfort after surgery
Minimal downtime of a few days
Significantly faster recovery than open surgery

To learn more about the benefits of minimally invasive spinal surgery on Long Island contact our office for a consultation.

Patient Testimonials

“Last April, I started having issues with my cervical spine. I started to research Neurosurgeons in my surrounding area. Well, I found Dr. Kakoulides. Any questions I had, he answered very thoroughly. He performed surgery on my cervical spine. Everything he told me that would occur from the actual surgical procedure to recovery, was 100% accurate. I am a Mom of two young children and very active. He gave me my quality of life back. Dr. Kakoulides generally cares about his patient’s well- being and he will go above and beyond for his patients. I would highly recommend him to any family or friend. Since my surgery, I have!”
Kate Riola

“Dr Kakoulides was recommended to me. I didn't know what to expect. Once meeting him, I was immediately put at ease and placed my trust in him completely. He has a wonderful way of connecting with his patients. I recommend him to anyone who is apprehensive of undergoing spine surgery.”
Desiree Passantino

“Dr. Kakoulides is a caring and knowledgeable doctor with a wonderful bedside manner. He listened to my concerns and took the time to explain to me in detail about my condition and injuries and his thoughts about moving forward for a more invasive approach being that I am only 39 years young. I appreciate that he wants exhaust all non-invasive avenues before surgery is considered. Highly recommended!”
Cynthia Accomando

“I had 2 spinal surgeries with Dr. George Kakoulides. One was a fusion in my neck and the other was a microdiscectomy in my lower back. He is unbelievable amazing doctor and surgeon, and I'm extremely glad that I had him.”
Steve Santorelli

“Dr. K did a 3 level ACDF and straightening of my cervical spine November 5th 2024. He is a master at his craft. Surgery outcome came out amazing. I can’t thank Dr. K enough for everything!”
Chris Ranieri

Techniques Used During Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Tubular Surgery:

Dr. Kakoulides uses various dilators to stretch and separate the muscles and soft tissues, creating just enough of an opening to pass the surgical tools without damaging the muscles. This procedure avoids cutting excess soft tissues.

Lateral Transpsoas Interbody Fusion:

Dr. Kakoulides performs a “lateral” procedure, which means the incision is placed on the sides of the body, thus avoiding the muscles and ligaments on the abdomen. This procedure uses a lateral incision to decompress nerves and facilitate spinal stability.

Percutaneous Fusion:

Dr. Kakoulides performs the percutaneous technique to implant unique instruments and tools at various points in the vertebrae via a few small incisions. The goal is to stabilize the spine, fuse two adjacent vertebrae, and stimulate natural bone regeneration.

Kyphoplasty:

Dr. Kakoulides inserts a specialized needle into the vertebrae and uses a balloon to restore the vertebra’s height, following which bone cement is injected for stability. This treatment repairs vertebral compression fractures and ensures optimal spinal stability.

Video Testimonial

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery FAQs

Does insurance cover minimally invasive spine surgery?

Yes, most insurance plans, including Medicare and private insurers, cover minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) when it’s considered medically necessary. This means that conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, and epidural injections have failed to relieve symptoms, and imaging (like MRI or CT scans) confirms a structural spinal issue.

Coverage details vary depending on the insurer, policy type, and specific procedure codes used. Before surgery, your surgical team will obtain all necessary pre-authorization to confirm eligibility and minimize out-of-pocket costs. Most major insurers list MISS procedures, such as microdiscectomy, spinal fusion, and decompression, as eligible for reimbursement under standard spinal surgery guidelines.

Who is a candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery?

You may be a candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery if you have a structural spinal problem that has not improved with nonsurgical treatments such as rest, medications, or physical therapy. Common candidates include patients with:

Herniated or bulging discs causing persistent nerve pain or weakness
Spinal stenosis leading to numbness or difficulty walking
Spondylolisthesis (vertebra slipping forward)
Spinal instability or deformity, such as degenerative scoliosis

The ideal candidates are generally in good overall health, have localized spinal pathology confirmed by imaging, and are seeking a quicker recovery with less tissue disruption. However, patients with multiple previous surgeries, widespread instability, or severe osteoporosis may require traditional open surgery. Your surgeon will determine your candidacy through a thorough evaluation that includes imaging, neurologic exams, and medical history review.

How long is the recovery period after surgery?

Recovery after minimally invasive spine surgery is shorter than after open surgery. Many patients go home the same day or within 24 hours, depending on the procedure and their overall health. Light activities, such as walking, can typically be resumed within a few days.

Most patients return to work in 4 to 6 weeks, compared to 3 to 6 months for open spine surgery. Full recovery, including complete tissue healing and spinal stabilization, usually occurs within 3 months. Because the incisions are small and muscles are gently separated rather than cut, pain and scarring are minimal. Patients are encouraged to begin guided physical therapy within a few weeks to rebuild strength.

What are the benefits of minimally invasive surgery versus traditional open spine surgery?

Smaller Incisions

Incisions are usually less than 1 inch compared to 3-6 inches in open surgery. Smaller incisions mean less scarring and a faster healing time.

Over 95% Accuracy

Implant accuracy exceeds 95% when guided by robotic or fluoroscopic technology for minimally invasive surgery.

Blood Loss is Minimized

With traditional spinal surgery, blood loss may be 800 ml to 1,500 ml, as opposed to minimally invasive spine surgery, which has an average of 100 ml to 136 ml of blood loss. This reduces the need for transfusions and aids in faster recovery.

Less Risk of Infection

With limited exposure of tissue and a shortened surgery time, the risk of infection drops significantly with this procedure.

Outpatient Procedure

With open spinal surgery, the typical hospital stay can be lengthy, leading to higher costs. With minimally invasive surgery, you may be able to go home within a day or two.

Easier Recovery

A less invasive surgery means your post-op pain is greatly reduced, as well as scarring, blood loss, and infection risk, all adding up to a much faster recovery period. Some people return to light activities after just two weeks as opposed to months of healing.

Contact Dr. George Kakoulides

Dr. George Kakoulides is a board-certified neurosurgeon with decades of experience in the latest and safest minimally invasive spinal surgery on Long Island techniques. He only recommends minimally invasive spine surgery if it’s deemed to be absolutely necessary — most patients can resolve their issues with non-surgical solutions. Please schedule an appointment to determine if you’re a candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery in New York.