Laser Spine Surgery
Minimally Invasive Spinal Procedures
Are you struggling to relieve neck and back pain to no avail?
When conservative treatments don’t work, minimally invasive spine procedures may provide relief.
Pain felt in your feet, legs, back, shoulders, and neck may originate from your spine. The pain could be present while you sit, walk, or exert yourself. It may be dull, jolting, or even stabbing. However the pain presents itself, it minimizes the quality of your life.
Don’t Spend Another Minute in Pain
This procedure removes part of the lamina of a vertebral arch in order to relieve pressure in the vertebral canal.
Laser Spine Institute Procedures

Discectomy
Discectomy is the surgical removal of part or all of a vertebral disc that has herniated. The pressure on the nerve root is relieved and then a dissection is performed to remove any bone spurs or disc material.

Laminotomy
Laminotomy is a surgical procedure performed to relieve spinal cord and/or nerve root compression. The purpose of it is to decompress—take pressure off the spinal cord and nerve roots.

Foraminotomy
Foraminotomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed to expand the opening in the spinal column, where the nerve roots exit the spinal canal., to relieve the pressure.

Facet Thermal Ablation
Facet thermal ablation is a procedure that uses a laser to remove unwanted tissue from the facet joint and deadens the nerve in the joint that relays pain symptoms.

Minimally Invasive Stabilization
Minimally invasive stabilization surgery (MISS) uses advanced technology and innovative techniques to treat back pain and neck pain caused by a variety of spinal disorders.

Cervical Disc Replacement
Cervical disc replacement is a new surgery technique performed to replace a damaged, herniated, or painful disc while maintaining motion in the spine.
With minimally invasive spinal procedures, you will see the large difference a small incision can make in your life. Contact our caring representatives to learn more.

Incision ¼ inch or smaller
Outpatient procedure
you go home the same day
DAYS – not weeks of recovery
Medicare and insurance accepted

Incisions 1 inch or smaller
Outpatient procedure
you go home the same day
Get back to normal activities in weeks, not months
Medicare and insurance accepted
Other Clinics
requiring at least one night hospital stay Months of recovery
Preauthorization by Medicare and insurance
WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE PROCEDURE
Before the Procedure
- You will be contacted by a nurse from the outpatient surgery center to review your health history and medications and to provide you with preoperative instructions.
- Let your physician know if you have a cold, fever, respiratory problems, wounds on your body, or any other change in your physical condition prior to surgery.
- Avoid food or liquids of any kind the night before your procedure. This includes hard candy.
- Not following these instructions may lead to your procedure being canceled.
- Let your doctor know if you are using blood thinners or aspirin. Unless otherwise instructed by your surgeon, do not take any medications after midnight the day prior to your procedure.
- Make arrangements to have a responsible adult, 18 years of age or older, to come to the surgery center with you and stay with you for the first 24 hours after your discharge.
Day of the Procedure
- Wear clothing that is loose and large enough to accommodate any bandages or dressings after your procedure. Your shoes should be comfortable, preferably slip ons.
- You will wear a surgical gown in the pre-op area.
- Cologne, jewelry, body piercings, makeup, and valuables of any kind should not be worn or brought with you.
- Have your government ID and insurance cards with you. You may need to cover any financial responsibilities you have with the surgical center on the day of surgery. Financing can be arranged if needed. Cash, money orders, debit cards, and credit cards will be accepted.
- We recommend not wearing contact lenses. Removable dentures and bridgework can be left in the containers we provide.
Day of the Procedure
- You will be taken to your vehicle by wheelchair. You should be accompanied by a responsible adult who is at least 18 years of age. This individual should drive you home after surgery.
- Your surgeon will give you postoperative instructions on your diet, rest, exercise, medications, stretches, etc. These instructions will be provided in written form along with other discharge instructions.
- A nurse will try to call you the day following your surgery. The nurse will ask you about your progress and also answer any questions you may have. If you experience pain or other problems, contact our office immediately.
- If you call after hours or on a weekend, leave a message with the answering service. Your call will be forwarded to our on-call staff who will be able to help you ASAP.
Medicine is a lifelong journey. There is also a hierarchy. You gain experience and you move up. Just as the ocean is extremely humbling, so is medicine. You think you have conquered one aspect and two obstacles arise.
-Drew Brown IV, MD

Drew Brown IV, MD
Dr. Brown received his undergraduate degree at The University of Texas at Austin where he also played NCAA Division 1 basketball. He then began his medical training in Boston, Massachusetts at Tufts University School of Medicine and completed his Orthopedic residency at The University of Hawaii in Honolulu.
After residency, Dr. Brown sought further specialization in spine surgery and was selected for a fellowship at the San Diego Spine Fellowship Program located at the San Diego Center for Spinal Disorders in La Jolla, CA under the direction of Dr. Behrooz Akbarnia. Following fellowship, Dr. Brown was selected to join Florida Orthopedic Specialists treating the Treasure Coast community. He spent 3 years developing a spine practice within a multispecialty private orthopaedic group where he emphasized outcome based practice methods for all surgical candidates. Dr. Brown played a pivotal role in creating a spine institute and steering it towards recognition as an Orthopaedic Center of Excellence. At the end of 2017, Dr. Brown was graciously invited to work as a visiting professor and spine surgeon at FOCOS (Foundation of Orthopedics and Complex Spine) with the world renowned Dr. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei of Hospital of Special Surgery. Dr. Boachie-Adjei founded the FOCOS Orthopedic Hospital in 1998 and it is the only orthopedic hospital in West Africa. This hospital is dedicated to the people of Africa and specializes in complex spine and joint replacement surgeries. Dr. Brown will continue to donate time as an associate professor and visiting surgeon with FOCOS Orthopedic Hospital treating a variety of complex pathology. Most recently Dr. Brown has joined the Laser Spine Institute located in Tampa, FL where he will be specializing in minimally invasive surgery for conditions of the neck and back.
Dr. Brown treats all spine disorders and has focused his training to sub‐specialize in adult degenerative conditions of the lumbar and cervical spine, including spinal stenosis, spinal deformity, radiculopathy, disc herniations, spondylolisthesis and spinal tumors. His areas of expertise include minimally invasive spine procedures and complex spinal reconstructions or revisions. His clinical studies focus on spinal deformity surgery as well as minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Dr. Brown is committed to providing an in-depth explanation of his patients’ diagnosis and a thorough discussion of treatment options, as well as recommendations that are tailored to each patient. While he primarily utilizes non‐surgical care, an operative intervention may be recommended when non‐surgical measures are unsuccessful.
Dr. Brown believes in physical fitness and exercise for treating most musculoskeletal conditions, including spinal abnormalities and during postoperative recovery. As a previous collegiate basketball player, he has a strong interest in advocating for his patients’ ongoing fitness, as well as other healthy lifestyle parameters, such as dietary optimization.
He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society, and Florida Orthopaedic Society. In his spare time he enjoys many fitness activities, including surfing and diving, as well as traveling.