Minimally Invasive Surgery - Dr. Vikas Varma

A pioneer in minimally invasive spine surgery, Dr. Varma is continuously pushing the envelope in minimally invasive spine surgery, in order to find better techniques to treat his patients. In 2009 he performed the first Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion(XLIF) at the Mount Sinai Medical Center and remains committed to advancing minimally invasive surgery techniques.

In 2017, he performed the first Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion (OLIF) at Mount Sinai Medical Center and continues to research the use of minimally invasive techniques in complex spine conditions to better facilitate patient recovery and improve patient outcomes. He has served as an instructor for these techniques for spine surgeons both domestic and international, as well as lectured at annual spine conferences.

In 2019, he performed the first "single-position” minimally invasive fusion at Mount Sinai Medical Center, incorporating advanced surgical navigation mapping. He continues to expand the field with his innovative work.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery utilizes special tools that allow surgeons to make far smaller surgical incisions. In years past, a similar procedure would require a larger incision made down the entire back.

The spine is by far one of the most delicate areas of the body, therefore, whenever it is possible, Dr. Varma prefers to use the least invasive surgical measures to available at the time. In general, the goal of minimally invasive spine surgery is to help patients alleviate their spinal issues, pain and discomfort, while being able to stabilize the vertebrae, spinal joints and relieve any pressure being applied to the spinal nerves (compression).

We can use minimally invasive variations for a variety of different surgical procedures, in order to alleviate issues such as:

Spinal Deformity
Scoliosis
Spinal Tumors
Spinal Instability
Bone Spurs
Herniated Discs
Spinal Compression

How Does Minimally Invasive Surgery Differ from Traditional ‘Open’ Surgery?
As opposed to the traditional ‘open’ spinal procedures, minimally invasive approaches to surgery use far smaller, shorter incisions, as well as innovative surgical tools that specially allow us to reach all areas of the spine, through the same small opening. These procedures are often performed much faster, safer, and allow for a much shorter recovery time – by reducing the level of trauma to the muscles, tendons and other soft tissue in the area.