Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Minimally invasive spine surgery is designed to treat spinal conditions through smaller incisions while minimizing disruption to the muscles and surrounding soft tissues. Compared with traditional open surgery, these techniques can reduce blood loss, postoperative pain, hospital length of stay, and recovery time, while achieving the same surgical goals in appropriately selected patients.

Dr. Chan specializes in complex minimally invasive techniques for treating a wide range of spinal disorders, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, and complex spinal deformity. Every treatment plan is individualized, with the goal of providing the least invasive operation capable of achieving a durable, long-lasting result.

One of Dr. Chan’s areas of expertise is the lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) approach. Through a small incision in the patient’s side, the damaged disc is removed and replaced with an interbody implant that restores disc height, relieves pressure on the nerves, and helps reestablish the spine’s natural alignment. Because this approach allows placement of a larger implant that rests on the strongest portion of the vertebral body, it can provide excellent stability while improving both spinal balance, lordosis, and indirect decompression of the nerves.

To further improve precision and safety, Dr. Chan has introduced the use of advanced spinal navigation for prone lateral lumbar interbody fusion. This technology provides real-time three-dimensional guidance during surgery, allowing for highly accurate implant placement while streamlining the procedure. Dr. Chan has shared these techniques through invited national lectures and surgeon education courses, helping advance the adoption of minimally invasive lateral spine surgery.

Learn more: Watch Dr. Chan’s lecture demonstrating his navigated prone lateral lumbar interbody fusion technique and discussing the role of advanced navigation in modern minimally invasive spine surgery.