Topic: Uniportal and Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery: Current Practice, Clinical Outcomes, and Emerging Technologies

Endoscopic spine surgery has expanded from selected cases of lumbar disc herniation to a wider range of spinal disorders. Uniportal and biportal endoscopic techniques are now used not only for lumbar decompression and discectomy but also for interbody fusion and selected cervical and thoracic pathologies. With increasing clinical experience and accumulating evidence, these techniques have become important options in minimally invasive spine surgery.

However, several challenges remain as surgical indications expand and procedures become more complex. Endoscopic surgery requires accurate anatomical orientation and precise instrument control within a limited working corridor. Learning curves, radiation exposure, complications, reproducibility among surgeons and institutions, and standardization of surgical techniques remain important issues. At the same time, navigation, intraoperative imaging, robotic assistance, augmented and mixed reality, artificial intelligence, and other computer-assisted technologies may support surgical planning, intraoperative guidance, training, and procedural accuracy. These technologies should be evaluated not only for their novelty but also for their effects on patient outcomes, safety, surgical workflow, and cost-effectiveness.

This Special Issue will cover both clinical and technical research on uniportal and biportal endoscopic spine surgery. We welcome prospective and retrospective clinical studies, comparative studies, case series, technical notes, video articles, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and expert perspectives. Studies of established surgical procedures as well as emerging technologies are encouraged. We also welcome studies addressing complications, learning curves, outcome measurement, technical limitations, and implementation barriers.

This Special Issue aims to summarize the current status of endoscopic spine surgery and clarify important questions for its future development.

Topics of Interest

Topics include, but are not limited to:

● Endoscopic decompression and discectomy for lumbar disc herniation and spinal stenosis;

● Uniportal and biportal lumbar interbody fusion;

● Endoscopic cervical and thoracic spine surgery;

● Navigation and intraoperative 3D imaging;

● Robotic assistance in endoscopic spine surgery;

● Augmented reality, mixed reality, and virtual reality for surgical planning, intraoperative guidance, and education;

● Artificial intelligence for anatomical recognition, endoscopic video analysis, surgical planning, decision support, and outcome prediction;

● Advances in endoscopic optics, irrigation systems, energy devices, and surgical instruments;

● Comparative outcomes of uniportal endoscopic, biportal endoscopic, microscopic, tubular, and open spine surgery;

● Complications and safety in endoscopic spine surgery;

● Development, measurement, validation, and clinical implementation of outcome measures specific to endoscopic spine surgery;

● Learning curves, simulation, objective assessment of surgical skills, and competency-based training;

● Standardized terminology, procedural classification, and reporting standards for endoscopic spine surgery.