[Progression and clinical application in unilateral biportal endoscopic]

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Background:

• Percutaneous endoscopic spine surgery (PESS) is widely used in China for its benefits but has limitations like restricted vision and efficiency.
• Single-cannula techniques in PESS can hinder surgical performance due to limited maneuverability.
• Unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) surgery has emerged as a promising alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the advantages of unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) surgery with single-cannula endoscopic techniques.
• To highlight the benefits of UBE surgery in terms of visualization, flexibility, and efficiency.
• To review the clinical applications and outcomes of UBE surgery for spinal conditions.

Main Methods:

• The study discusses the technical setup of UBE surgery, involving two portals for instruments and arthroscopy.
• It compares UBE with traditional single-cannula endoscopic spine surgery.
• Clinical applications across various spinal pathologies are reviewed.

Main Results:

• UBE surgery provides a superior visual field and greater operational flexibility compared to single-cannula techniques.
• It offers handier surgical instruments, a shorter learning curve, and reduced radiation exposure.
• Satisfactory clinical results have been achieved in treating degenerative spinal diseases, facet cysts, and other conditions.

Conclusions:

• Unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) surgery represents an advancement in minimally invasive spine surgery.
• Its enhanced visualization, efficiency, and safety profile make it a valuable technique for spinal surgeons.
• UBE surgery demonstrates significant clinical efficacy for a range of spinal pathologies.