Intraoperative image guidance for endoscopic spine surgery

Endoscopic spine surgery is a burgeoning component of the minimally invasive surgeon's armamentarium. The goals invasive, and likewise endoscopic, include providing equivalent or better patient outcomes compared to conventional open surgery, while minimizing soft tissue disruption, blood loss, postoperative pain, recovery time, time return normal activities. A multitude indications for utilization endoscopy throughout spinal axis now exist, with applications both decompression as well interbody fusion. That being said, requires many surgeons learn completely new skill set associated learning curve may be substantial. Fluoroscopy most common imaging modality used in endoscopic localization pathology access. Recently, use navigation has been reported effective, preliminary data supporting decreased operative times radiation exposure, improvements curve. further development recent interest combining robotic guidance endoscopy, particularly respect endoscopic-assisted lumbar While there currently paucity literature evaluating these image modalities, they are gaining traction, future research innovation will likely focus on technologies.