## Introduction
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) aims to achieve the same clinical goals as open surgery with less muscle damage and faster recovery. The primary technological driver of this shift is the **Percutaneous Pedicle Screw**.
## From “Open” to “Through-the-Skin”
In traditional surgery, large incisions are needed to see the bone. Percutaneous systems allow for screws to be placed through tiny 1cm incisions using a series of specialized steps.
### Key Technological Features
1. **Cannulated Design:** Screws are hollow, allowing them to be inserted over a guide wire (K-wire) placed under fluoroscopy.
2. **Extended Towers:** Long “reduction towers” extend outside the skin, allowing the surgeon to manipulate the screw heads and insert the connecting rod without making a large incision.
3. **Low Profile Heads:** Minimized screw heads reduce the “bump” under the skin, especially important in thin patients.
## Benefits for the Patient
* **Reduced Blood Loss:** MISS procedures typically involve significantly less hemorrhage than open surgery.
* **Lower Infection Rates:** Smaller incisions mean less exposure to environmental contaminants.
* **Faster Mobilization:** Patients are often walking hours after surgery rather than days.
## The Ortholyx MISS System
The Ortholyx Percutaneous Screw System features a **Simplified Instrumentation Kit** that reduces the number of steps in the OR, allowing surgeons to transition to MISS with a shorter learning curve.
## Conclusion
Percutaneous technology has transformed spine surgery from a traumatic event into a streamlined procedure. Ortholyx is proud to provide the precision-engineered screws that make these advances possible.