Has anyone died due to having laser spine surgery?

Laser spine surgery, also known as minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS), is a relatively safe procedure, and the risk of death is very low. However, it is not entirely risk-free, as with any surgery.

According to a 2018 study published in the journal Spine, the overall mortality rate for MISS was 0.13%, which means that for every 1,000 MISS surgeries performed, about 1.3 patients will die. The most common causes of death were complications related to the surgery, such as infection or blood loss.

However, it is important to note that this study included a wide range of MISS procedures, some of which are more risky than others. For example, the mortality rate for laser discectomy, which is a minimally invasive procedure for removing a herniated disc, was only 0.03%.

Therefore, the risk of death from laser spine surgery is low, but it is still important to be aware of the potential risks before undergoing the procedure. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of MISS with you in detail before you make a decision about whether to proceed with the surgery.