Full-Endoscopic Spine Surgery : Its Roles and Limitations.

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

• Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) aims to reduce tissue disruption.
• Full-endoscopic spine surgery (FESS) represents an advanced MISS technique using a uniportal endoscope.
• Continuous saline perfusion is utilized during FESS procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolution and current applications of FESS.
• To highlight the advantages and limitations of FESS.
• To discuss the future potential of endoscopic spine surgery.

Main Methods:

• Percutaneous approach using a uniportal working-channel endoscope.
• Continuous saline perfusion for visualization and irrigation.
• Application across a spectrum of spinal pathologies.

Main Results:

• FESS effectively decompresses tissues and allows instrumentation while preserving musculoskeletal structures.
• FESS offers fewer complications and faster recovery times compared to traditional methods.
• Indications have expanded from disc herniations to degenerative diseases, infections, traumas, and tumors.

Conclusions:

• FESS is a highly effective technique for numerous spinal disorders.
• Despite a steep learning curve, FESS technology is rapidly advancing.
• Endoscopic spine surgery is poised to become a standard treatment approach.