Abstract
Lumbar spinal degenerative disorders were considered from the point of view of minimally invasive surgery. In the present paper, tailored operations, lumbar surgery under lumbar anesthesia and lumbar fixation were all discussed. To perform minimally invasive lumbar surgery, an accurate pathological point must be identified depending upon meticulous neurological examinations and a combination of several radiological examinations. The history of surgical procedures for lumbar canal stenosis to date was described. Most lumbar surgeries can be safely performed under the lumbar anesthesia. Owing to this anesthesia, surgical treatment can be done even if the patients have serious systemic complications such as cardiac or lung disorders. Lumbar fixation procedures are essentially invasive. Nerve root injury or paraspinal muscle damage is sometimes encountered in lumbar fixation surgery. Meticulous consideration about the indication and fixative procedures must be taken in order to perform minimally invasive lumbar surgery.
