<prompt> If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patients description.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?  <response>: 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 