The minimally invasive percutaneous spinal instrumentation procedure involves insertion of pedicle screws into the vertebrae through tiny skin incisions. The procedure is performed for spinal stabilisation of spinal fractures or part of fusion procedure for degenerative spinal conditions, spinal deformity, infection and tumour.

The minimally invasive percutaneous spinal instrumentation is performed under general anaesthesia. Using X-ray guidance, pedicle screws are inserted on both sides of vertebral column through stab incision in the skin and muscle. More recently, intraoperative computed tomography (CT) and navigation and robotic technologies have been developed to improve accuracy for spinal instrumentation. After screws insertion, rods are inserted through specialised channels in the screw heads and locked off to secure and immobilise the vertebral column.

Compared to traditional pedicle screw insertion technique which would have required larger skin incision and extensive muscular dissection, the minimally invasive percutaneous spinal instrumentation technique not only reduce the size of scar, but also minimises soft tissue damage, reduced blood loss and operative time.

Dr Lee is proficient in minimally invasive percutaneous spinal instrumentation / stabilisation using intraoperative navigation and has previously published several articles on minimally invasive spinal instrumentation:

1. Minimally invasive stabilization for thoracolumbar and lumbar fractures: a comparative study with short segment open Schanz screw constructs in Journal of Spine Surgery. For more information visit here.
2. Image-guided pedicle screws using intraoperative cone-beam CT and navigation. A cost-effectiveness study in Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. For information, visit here.