Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

A book on Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) is extremely relevant in the context of current practice of spine surgery. There has been a surge of techniques described for minimally invasive spinal procedures and it is refreshing to note that such a valiant attempt has been made in the Indian scenario. The effort of bringing out this book is tumultuous and deserves accolades for all of those who have contributed to it. The realm of MISS encompasses all the regions of the spine, and hence, the sections are well divided into cervical and lumbar which is rightly preceded by a whole section on fundamentals. Currently, MISS covers a wide spectrum of pathologies which can be addressed by this technique. Although degenerative lumbar spine pathology occupies the widest part of the spectrum of indications, tumors, infection, and osteoporosis have been well covered. The chapter on MISS techniques for intradural tumor removal and spinal infections deserves special mention. On a similar note, there is an entire section dedicated to MISS techniques for lumbar spine instrumentations and is well covered. However, there could be some more information and focus on the currently developing techniques of deformity correction through MISS and its usage in adult spinal deformity has picked up very well in various parts of the world. The section on techniques of Interventional Pain Management is an appreciable and thoughtful addition to the book because of its relevance in the current scenario and is worth reading though a detailed analysis of techniques of root/facet block, coccygeal and SIJ injections, pudendal blocks, and various sympathetic blocks could have wrapped up the section better. The section on recent advances in MISS is a refreshing end and makes us all hope for a brighter future of further editions of this book.