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    Riding the Wave of Spine Endoscopy: Why, When and How (and a Little How Not to)

    Friday, April 25, 2025
    8:00 AM – 11:30 AM EDT

    This half-day didactic only course will review basic and advanced endoscopic spine surgery procedures through a simple "why, when and how (and how not to)” structure. This session will start with the "why", expanding on the spectrum of benefits and risk reductions to understand the goals of investing in an endoscopic learning curve. “When” will detail appropriate surgical strategies for various spinal pathologies. “How” will review the practical tips, techniques and pearls for success.

    Learning Objectives:

    • Describe the benefits of endoscopic spine surgery, as well as identify barriers that need to be overcome.
    • Understand the specific anatomy of both transforaminal and interlaminar approaches when visualized through an endoscope.
    • Appreciate the potential value of endoscopic approaches for complex pathologies, including thoracic disc herniations and treatment of the unstable lumbar spine.

    Presentations:

    • 8:00 AM – 8:14 AM EDT
      Benefits of Endoscopic Spine Surgery

      Speaker: Mark A. Mahan, MD – University of Utah

    • 8:15 AM – 8:29 AM EDT
      The Nuances of Discectomy Approach Selection
    • 8:30 AM – 8:44 AM EDT
      Interlaminar Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy

      Speaker: Patrick Kim, MD – University of South Florida

    • 8:45 AM – 8:59 AM EDT
      Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy

      Speaker: Albert Telfeian, MD phD – Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

    • 9:00 AM – 9:28 AM EDT
      Panel: Case-based faculty panel discussion on endoscopic discectomies
    • 9:29 AM – 9:38 AM EDT
      Break
    • 9:39 AM – 9:58 AM EDT
      Uniportal ULBD – The Endoscopic Workhorse: Tricks, Pearls and Secrets
    • 10:00 AM – 10:19 AM EDT
      Biportal ULBD – Cheaper, Faster and More Extensible

      Speaker: Jang W. Yoon, MD – University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

    • 10:20 AM – 10:39 AM EDT
      Thoracic Discectomies

      Speaker: Sanjay Konakondla, MD, FAANS – Geisinger Neuroscience Institute

    • 10:40 AM – 10:49 AM EDT
      Break
    • 10:50 AM – 11:09 AM EDT
      Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy / Discectomy
    • 11:10 AM – 11:29 AM EDT
      Endoscopic Fusion: Overview & Rationale

      Speaker: Michael Y. Wang, MD, MBA – University of Miami