Spine Surgery: A Narrative Review About Recent Updates and Future Directions

Abstract

Background: Advances in case selection, operative methods, and postsurgical care have facilitated spine surgeons to manage complex spine cases with short operative times, decreased hospital stay and improved outcomes. Methods: This is an overview of recent updates and future directions in the field of spine surgery. All the articles were obtained through a literature review on PubMed. Results: Minimally invasive spine procedures like Endoscopic spine surgeries, Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion, use of retractor systems, etc. are emerging in rapidly in modern world. Fusion surgeries are associated with adjacent level disease hence, motion preservation surgeries that mimic the natural biomechanics of the spine are being explored as alternatives. In view of risks to vital structures, nerve injury due to mal-positioning, etc.; robotic spine surgery has paved a way to allow surgeons real-time procedural manipulation along with instrument control, real-scale magnification. Many high-impact discoveries in cancer research, stereotactic radiotherapy, newer combinations of chemotherapy, and tumor-specific antibodies have increased our understanding of spine oncology. Past two decades have seen many advancements in treatment of spine deformities right from initial radiographic assessment, surgical planning to postoperative care. Conclusion: All in all, all stakeholders in innovation including the industry, scientists and surgeons must work in an open and honest collaboration to benefit the future patients and continue the evolution in Spine Surgery. Keywords: Spine surgery, Recent updates, Minimally invasive surgery, Artificial disc replacement, Artificial intelligence.