Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] I am told that I need to undergo surgery for severe spinal stenosis.  I failed to ask the surgeon why the surgery will not be performed as a minimally invasive procedure.  I do know that I will not have to have any "hardware" placed in my spine.  Basically, the surgery is being performed to relieve the pain in my left leg.  I have bulging discs at L3, 4, 5 and S1.  Basically, if no hardware is needed, can the procedure which I am about to undergo be performed minimally invasive or does it have to be performed with an open incision?
[|AI|]  Hi, Thank you for posting your query. Minimally invasive surgeries are possible if you have a localized disc bulge at a single level, say, only L4-5 or L5-S1. Then, the surgeon can perform what is called as micro-discectomy, with a small incision. However, if the problem is more widespread with bulging of multiple discs and compression of multiple nerves, then an open surgery is required. I hope it helps. Please get back if you require any additional information. Best wishes, Chat Doctor. Ly/