The term “minimally invasive spinal surgery” was coined in early 1990 following pub- cation of the first edition of this text entitled Arthroscopic Microdiscectomy: Minimal Intervention in Spinal Surgery, and subsequent establishment of the International Society for Minimal Intervention in Spinal Surgery (ISMISS) under the auspices of the International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT) in April l990. The orthopedic and neurological surgeons who participated in lectures and hands-on wo- shops both in Philadelphia and abroad have witnessed the evolution of minimally invasive spinal surgery from blind nucleotomy to endoscopic fragmentectomy, decompression of l- eral recess stenosis, foraminoplasty, and spinal stabilization. In Arthroscopic and Endoscopic Spinal Surgery: Text and Atlas, Second Edition, experts describe and illustrate various techniques and approaches that are currently used in this field. In addition, the ongoing research for the betterment of spine care via minimally invasive approaches is briefly reviewed. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to so many of my colleagues who s- ported my efforts in the field of minimally invasive spinal surgery throughout the years. Many of them participated in our teaching symposiums and have provided valuable cont- butions to this text.

Covers the latest developments in minimally invasive techniques now used in spinal surgery. Applied anatomy, indications, and outcomes are all addressed by an international team of experienced contributors.

Endoscopic technology has advanced to the point where practitioners can now access, visualize, and treat spine pathologies previously only accessible through open surgical approaches. Endoscopic Spine Surgery 2nd Edition provides a comprehensive background on endoscopic spine surgery and covers an unparalleled number of minimally invasive spine procedures that have revolutionized the spine treatment paradigm. Readers will greatly benefit from many years of expertise and wisdom shared by master spine surgeons Daniel Kim, Gun Choi, Sang-Ho Lee, and Richard Fessler, and their expert contributors. Due to the narrow endoscopic view, subtle microanatomical differences in the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical regions are not always easy to visually discern. To address this challenge, the book contains detailed procedural descriptions and images mirroring endoscopic views spine surgeons encounter in the OR. Organized anatomically, 53 chapters guide readers systematically through lumbar, thoracic, cervical, and craniocervical junction procedures for pathologies ranging from low back pain and deformities to tumors, lesions, infections, and trauma. Key Features More than 1000 high quality images including color procedural photographs and medical illustrations provide in-depth visual understanding. Spinal pathologies and procedures delineated in 75 videos accessible via the Media Center - from case studies to step-by-step technique tutorials. Covers the full spectrum of spine endoscopy including percutaneous approaches, microdiscectomy, laminectomy, discectomy foraminotomy, hemilaminectomy, thoracic decompressions, fusion, fixation, and thoracoscopic procedures. The use of state-of-the-art technology such as ultrasonic bone dissectors, endoscopic radiofrequency denervation, the video telescope operating monitor (VITOM), minimally invasive tubular retractors, and 3D stereo-tubular endoscopic systems. Neurosurgical and orthopaedic residents, spine fellows, and seasoned spine surgeons will all greatly benefit from the significant knowledge and insights revealed in this remarkable multimedia resource. This book may also be of interest to neurosurgical and orthopaedic nurses, physical therapists, chiropractors, and medical device professionals.

In the past few years spine surgery has undergone revolutionary changes leading towards minimally invasive techniques. This book is a survey of microsurgical as well as endoscopic surgical techniques for the treatment of a variety of spinal disorders. The structure of the individual chapters includes terminology, history, surgical principles, advantages/disadvantages, indications, surgical technique, complications and hazards as well as results. However all chapters are focused on a very didactic presentation of surgical steps. Thus, the reader will get familiar with a variety of new techniques some of which are already integrated into clinical routine others still being part of ongoing clinical trials and development.

The second congress of the Paci?c Asian Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (PASMISS) held in Phuket,Thailand,August 5–6,2002,was highly s- cessful. Dr.Akira Dezawa, the president, had worked hard in organizing the congress,which was well attended.All scienti?c papers presented were of the highest standard and were worthy of publication in book form.This scienti?c meeting brought to light the practice of this modern surgical technique as it is being performed by spine surgeons in the Asia–Paci?c region.Dr.Dezawa has made a great effort to collect the papers from the congress,and to have them edited and published as a text that covers all aspects of the minimally invasive spine surgical approach. Minimally invasive spinal surgery will be a highlight of operative approaches in the twenty-?rst century and already has been popularized worldwide.This procedure will provide surgical options that address several pathological conditions in the spinal column without producing the types of morbidity commonly seen in open surgical procedures. The contents of this book provide highly relevant and detailed information. I certainly believe that it will be a great bene?t to all orthopedic surgeons who are interested in performing minimally invasive spine surgery. Charoen Chotigavanich,M.D. Chairman,Spinal Section The Royal College of Orthopedic Surgeons of Thailand V Preface Recent decades have been characterized by revolutionary changes in spinal surgery. Concurrent progress in implant technology and functional en- scopes and the improvement of less invasive surgical techniques has opened a new dimension for spine surgery.

Endoscopic spinal surgery has become popular due its procedure-related benefits. The biportal endoscopic surgery is a recent technique, which has gained popularity in Asia, Europe, and Latin America since it can be applied to treat many diseases of the whole spine as cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral. Divided into thirty-four chapters, this first-ever book on unilateral biportal endoscopic spine surgery presents the technique history review and its current applications; the currently available technology and basic principles of this surgery: anesthesia, position, and operative room setup; endoscopic instruments, hydrostatic pressure, and intraoperative radiology; as well as anatomical considerations of basic approaches. It also details the techniques to resolve lumbar, cervical and thoracic spine diseases. Written by the world's most influential groups that perform the method, Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy of the Spine: An Atlas of Surgical Techniques will certainly be widely accepted by all surgeons interested to improve their daily practice in minimally invasive spine surgery.