Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery : Basic and Advanced Technique

As of recent years, biportal endoscopic spine surgery has gained significant attention and adoption in the field of spine surgery due to its minimally invasive nature and the advantages it offers.  This technique is increasingly popular among spine surgeons for treating various spinal disorders, such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis. Its minimally invasive approach allows for smaller incisions, less muscle disruption, reduced postoperative pain, and quicker recovery times compared to traditional open surgery. Numerous studies have reported favorable outcomes with biportal endoscopic spine surgery, including reduced operation times, lower complication rates, and improved patient satisfaction. These outcomes contribute to its rising adoption. Continuous innovation is likely to further establish biportal endoscopic surgery as a standard practice for suitable spinal conditions. It would introduce the fundamental concepts of endoscopic anatomy, and the basics of endoscopic equipment and techniques. Detailed descriptions of biportal endoscopic procedures would be included, showcasing step-by-step surgical methods, including setup, entry points, and the use of instruments. The book will explain the indications, contraindications, clinical applications of biportal endoscopic spine surgery, and potential complications. Updates on the latest advancements in technology, techniques, and clinical research findings will be covered to keep practitioners up-to-date. In summary, biportal endoscopic spine surgery is becoming a significant part of modern spine surgery practices due to its minimally invasive nature, positive clinical outcomes, and the ongoing development of surgical techniques and equipment.

Dong Hwa Heo is currently the President of “the World Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy (UBE) Society”. He was the lead editor of the first edition of the UBE textbook. With over 20 years of experience in minimally invasive spine surgery and more than 10 years in biportal endoscopy, he has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on UBE procedures. As a spine neurosurgeon, he has made significant contributions to the development and expansion of UBE surgery. Spine surgeons from around the world visit to observe his UBE surgeries, and he has been actively lecturing on UBE at international spine society meetings.

Ji Yeon Kim is currently the Chief of the Endoscopic Spine Surgery Center and the Director of the Cervical Endoscopic Surgery Research Institute at Seran General Hospital in Seoul, Korea. He completed his neurosurgery residency at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul and began his practice in endoscopic spine surgery at a Military Hospital. Dr. Kim has a strong research interest in endoscopic spine surgery, with over 50 publications related to this field. He serves on the editorial boards of several journals specializing in spinal surgery. Dr. Kim has developed advanced techniques for UBE cervical and thoracic spine surgeries and is dedicated to expanding the use of endoscopic spine surgery.

Don Young Park is a board-certified orthopedic Spine Surgeon in Southern California, specializing in unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE), minimally invasive, and outpatient spine surgery. He completed his education at UCLA, UC San Diego, and Stanford, and held leadership roles at UCLA before joining UC Irvine as Professor and Director of the Advanced Endoscopic and Outpatient Spine Program. He was among the first in the U.S. to perform UBE and biportal endoscopic lumbar fusion. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles, authored numerous textbook chapters, and received multiple “Best Paper” awards from NASS and SMISS.

Cheol Wung Park is the founder and director of Daejeon Woori Hospital. He is a pioneering endoscopic spine surgeon in Korea, with over 8,000 endoscopic spine surgery cases performed since 1999. He introduced the world’s first fluoroscopic-guided interlaminar approach and developed key techniques such as contralateral endoscopic approach and the butterfly en-bloc resection technique. Dr. Park’s contributions are widely recognized through influential publications and textbook chapters in the field. Dr. Park’s contributions are widely acknowledged through his authoritative publications and textbook chapters, which are regarded as essential references for these advanced surgical techniques.

Choon Keun Park is the President of the Thomas Medical Foundation and Director of Wiltse Memorial Hospital. With over 30 years of experience in spine surgery, he has made significant contributions to the advancement of minimally invasive spine surgery. He is also one of the pioneers of unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) surgery and continues to train many young surgeons in this technique. He is highly sought after by surgeons who wish to learn spine surgery from a leading expert in the field. He has published more than 60 SCI-indexed publications and has contributed to numerous spine textbooks as a chapter author. Through his clinical innovation, prolific academic output, and leadership in global surgical education, he continues to shape the future of spine surgery.