Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Three endoscopic methods are described in great detail with superb illustrations: the thoracoscopic, laparoscopic, and the retroperitoneoscopic approaches. The three minimally invasive approaches allow access to the anterior column of the spine without the usual large incisions and the later pain involved. The anterior endoscopic approaches allow much greater stabilisation of the spine resulting from fractures and degenerative disk diseases. The advantages are obvious: extremely early mobilisation,much less pain, and very low complication rates.