-
Miami, Florida
-
Mon-Fri 8 am- 6pm (EST)
About Dr. Trapana
Patients from all over the US come to see Dr. Trapana due to his world class expertise in Spine
Patients from all over the US come to see Dr. Trapana due to his world class expertise in Spine
Most people don’t come in asking whether they want minimally invasive or open spine surgery.
They come in because their back or neck pain has reached a point where life feels smaller. Walking hurts. Sitting hurts. Sleep is broken. And somewhere along the way, someone mentioned surgery — without really explaining what that means today.
This is where the conversation usually starts in Evan Trapana’s office. Not with buzzwords, but with a simple question:
What’s actually causing the problem — and what’s the least disruptive way to fix it?
Minimally invasive spine surgery isn’t a different operation.
It’s a different way of accessing the spine.
Instead of large incisions and extensive muscle dissection, minimally invasive techniques use:
What it doesn’t mean:
Dr. Trapana is careful to explain this early, because minimally invasive surgery is often oversold — and open surgery is often misunderstood.
Open surgery isn’t outdated or inferior.
It’s specific.
Traditional approaches are often necessary when:
In these cases, open surgery allows:
The goal isn’t the smallest incision.
It’s the best long-term outcome.
This is one of the biggest differences patients care about — and for good reason.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Many patients experience:
That said, nerve healing still takes time. A small incision doesn’t mean instant relief.
Traditional Open Surgery
Recovery may involve:
But for the right patient, open surgery can provide stability and relief that minimally invasive approaches simply can’t.
Dr. Trapana emphasizes that recovery speed should never outweigh surgical appropriateness.
Patients often ask, “Which surgery works better?”
The honest answer:
The right surgery works better.
Outcomes depend on:
Minimally invasive surgery can offer excellent outcomes — when used for the right indications.
Open surgery can be life-changing — when it’s truly needed.
Technique alone doesn’t determine success.
This is where experience shows.
Dr. Trapana doesn’t start with the question, “Can this be done minimally invasively?”
He starts with:
Sometimes that leads to a minimally invasive solution.
Sometimes it doesn’t.
Patients often appreciate being told why one option makes more sense than another — instead of being sold on a trend.
Minimally invasive techniques are often used for:
Traditional open surgery is often used for:
The decision is never just about incision size.
No. It’s better for certain conditions, not all.
Not at all. For some patients, it offers the most durable outcome.
Often, but not guaranteed. Nerve healing still takes time.
The approach should be chosen based on anatomy, diagnosis, and long-term goals — not preference alone.
In most cases, yes. Rehab plays a big role in recovery.
Minimally invasive spine surgery and traditional open surgery aren’t competing options.
They’re tools.
The best outcomes happen when the right tool is used for the right problem — by a surgeon who isn’t locked into one approach.
That balance is what patients should be looking for.
If you’ve been told you need spine surgery — or you’re unsure whether surgery is even the right next step — a proper evaluation can help clarify your options.
A consultation focuses on:
The goal isn’t smaller incisions.
It’s better results.
Contact Dr. Evan Trapana for a consultation today.