Preface Turkish spine surgeons have been very productive for the last 20 years. Especially neurosurgeons have edited many textbooks on spine. However they were mostly in Turkish language and could not have international impact. This is one of the first English textbooks on spine written by Turkish authors and editors. The editors of this book are well known Tuskish neuro-spine surgeons who have been in administrative functions of Spine and Peripheral Nerve Section of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society. The editors have done a great job. The book contains all aspects of minimally invasive spine surgery and discusses current problems. I congratulate them for their efforts to prepare this very comprehensive textbook. Mehmet Zileli, M.D. Professor of Neurosurgery Past President of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Founding President of the Spine Section of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Honorary President of the Middle East Spine Society Past President of the World Spinal Column Society