There are several accepted causes of back pain that can benefit from surgical intervention with appropriately selected surgery.  Dr. Bransford discusses the limited role of surgical intervention in Spondylolysis. Dr. Marré provides an in-depth discussion of the advantages and drawbacks of various surgical treatment concepts, such as leaving the vertebrae in place and providing a fusion, as opposed to repositioning the vertebrae and maintaining the new spinal alignment with special implants. Dr. Treadway reviews the clinical complications of minimal access surgery, which attempts to minimize pain associated with more traditional surgical techniques. Drs. Wagner and Chapman then provide an update on assessment and alternating techniques of correction of major spinal deformities, specifically the flatback and the kyphotic spine. From the Series:Symposium on Low Back Pain