Toward a Candidate Endoscopic Spine Surgery Registry Framework: Lessons From Global Spine Registry Models

Area of Science:

• Spine surgery
• Medical informatics
• Health services research

Background:

• Existing spine registries lack ESS-specific data capture for technical variables, recovery, imaging, and learning curves.
• Endoscopic spine surgery (ESS) is rapidly expanding, necessitating tailored data collection methods.
• Current registry models require augmentation to address the unique aspects of ESS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a candidate ESS-specific registry framework and Minimum Data Set (MDS).
• To synthesize existing registry models, consensus initiatives, and digital follow-up approaches.
• To address the need for harmonized data capture in ESS for quality improvement and research.

Main Methods:

• A structured narrative review of national/multinational spine registries, consensus initiatives, and digital follow-up models.
• Emphasis on governance, data architecture, workflow, PROMs, follow-up structure, data linkage, validation, and feasibility.
• Synthesis of findings to propose a framework and preliminary MDS for ESS.

Main Results:

• Established registries offer a foundation for benchmarking and surveillance but need ESS-specific modules.
• The proposed MDS includes baseline, procedure-specific, imaging validation, and outcome surveillance domains.
• The framework separates core, recommended, optional, and research modules, including digital follow-up and learning-curve variables.

Conclusions:

• A candidate ESS registry framework can enhance data harmonization, real-world evidence generation, and quality feedback.
• Further steps include Delphi consensus, multicenter feasibility testing, and integration with existing infrastructures.
• This framework supports future registry-based research in endoscopic spine surgery.