The main difference between Minimally Invasive Lumbar Spine Surgery and traditional open procedures is the access to the spine. In contrast to open surgery, which often requires a large incision and significant muscle dissection to visualize and work on the affected area, MIS uses several smaller incisions, often just a few centimeters in length. These smaller incisions allow surgeons to insert specialized instruments and endoscopes to perform the necessary procedures with significantly less disruption to surrounding tissues. This key difference translates to a variety of benefits for patients, including reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times. The emphasis on reduced surgical trauma represents a mainstay principle of MIS and is the most popular reason why it has become an increasingly preferred option for many lumbar spine conditions.