AO Spine and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS)
Explore the AO Spine MISS resources
Minimally invasive spine surgery is a suite of technology-dependent techniques and procedures that reduces local operative tissue damage and systemic surgical stress enabling earlier return to function striving for better outcomes than traditional techniques.
Studies show many advantages for MISS over conventional surgery.
AO Spine MISS courses cover all types of minimally invasive spine procedures through tubular retractors, lateral and anterior approaches, and endoscopic procedures. They cover degenerative processes, lumbar spinal stenosis, disc herniation, spondylolisthesis, and many other pathologies that you deal with in your busy practices.
Find all upcoming AO Spine MISS courses here.
AO Spine MISS Spectrum Series online course
The AO Spine MISS Spectrum Series is a comprehensive learning experience for practicing surgeons who have little to no skills in MISS, fellows in an orthopedic or neurosurgery spine program, and residents in their final years who will specialize in spine surgery.
The course is developed and taught by the AO Spine MISS Task Force experts, global leaders in this field.
AO Spine MISS resources
AO Surgery Reference degenerative spine modules
Based on current clinical principles, practices, and available evidence and support spine surgeons’ day-to-day treatment, planning, learning, and teaching.
MISS courses and events
Find upcoming AO Spine MISS courses and events in your region and beyond.
MISS curriculum
The curriculum supports our faculty to design their MISS events based on competencies and aimed at specific target audiences.
An extraordinary webinar series
The extraordinary MISS sessions videos are available exclusively to AO Spine members. Please log in to watch. Not a member yet? Find all exclusive members privileges and join here.
MISS fusion: MIS TLIF vs. Lateral approaches
Presenters: Avelino Parajon and Paul Taylor
Moderators: Roger Härtl and Nestor Taboada
Cervical spine MISS: Anterior vs. Posterior
Presenters: Richard Assaker and JinSung Kim
Moderators: Christoph Hofstetter and Paul Taylor
"Over-the-top” MISS decompression: Endoscope vs. Microscope
Presenters: Christoph Hofstetter and Muhammed Assous
Moderators: Roger Härtl and Richard Assaker
The AO Spine MISS Task Force
Roger Härtl, Task Force Leader, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, United States
Richard Assaker, Centre Hospitalier Regional Universitaire, Lille, France
Mohammed Assous, AO Spine Spine Center and Fellowship Officer Middle East, Razi Spine Clinic, Amman, Jordan
Christoph Hofstetter, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
JinSung Kim, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Avelino Parajon, Hospital Universitario, Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
Néstor Taboada, UNIMEC, Barranquilla, Columbia
Paul Taylor, Spines WA, Perth, Australia
You might also be interested in:
MISS videos and webinars
Explore AO’s videos, webinars, and recorded events on MISS. Available to members only.
How do you do ULBD?
An AO funded study shows high-fidelity training simulators improve skills and confidence in minimally invasive lumbar decompression.
MISS assets for AO Spine faculty
MISS teaching videos and surgical manuals.
The Global Spine Network
The recorded webinars and videos are just one of many valuable AO Spine membership offerings.