There Is No Spine Surgery Without the Risk of Complications: A Deep Dive Into the Realm of Minimally Invasive and Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Abstract

The concept of minimally invasive surgical techniques arose from the development of smart technologies with a fundamental objective of reducing surgical trauma. Enhancements in microsurgery, tubular retractor, endoscopy, and various percutaneous techniques, as well as improvement of implant materials, have proven to be milestones. The specialty of spine surgery has seen groundbreaking progress over the years, with endoscopic spine surgery (ESS) and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) using tubular retractor playing a pivotal role in this evolution [1-3]. Yet, as is the case with any surgical procedure, ESS is not without its challenges. This special issue, "The complications and essential surgical techniques in minimally invasive spine surgery and endoscopic spine surgery," delves into the depth of these challenges, providing comprehensive insight into the realm of minimally invasive spine surgery and ESS. Since its introduction by Foley and Smith in 1997, the tubular retractor has revolutionized and changed the paradigm of spine surgery [3]. MIS using tubular retractors allows the surgeon to treat focal compressive and unstable lesions without