Endoscopic Spinal Surgery (ESS): Prepare for a Happy 100-Year-Old!

Jeffrey C. Wang; Hyeun-Sung Kim

doi:10.14245/ns.19int001

Lead Editor

Jeffrey C. Wang

USC Spine Center, Keck Hospital of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Lead Editor & Corresponding Author

Hyeun-Sung Kim

With the increase in the average life expectancy of human beings, the improvement of the quality of life can have a more significant impact towards a more healthy and happy life. Spinal diseases are one of the leading causes of disability in the world, and therefore have become a critical factor in affecting the quality of life of the elderly population. In order to successfully accomplish the treatment of spinal pathology with less morbidity, minimally invasive spine surgery has been developed. Spinal endoscopic surgery is becoming increasingly attractive as a viable option for many patients with spinal pathology. Endoscopic spinal surgery has been steadily progressing, becoming more popular, and with more advanced applications and techniques. With the aging of society, it has become a key element of modern spinal therapy.

However, there is still a need for further investigation into the outcomes of endoscopic spinal surgery, including defining the results, potential complications, and the role in the treatment of specific pathologies. In order to critically evaluated the past developments in endoscopic spinal surgery and to look ahead for more advanced applications, neurospine has prepared a special issue. In this special edition, intensive research on endoscopic spinal surgery will help to prepare the practitioners for the use of this exciting technology, especially for our elderly patients.

We sincerely thank the editorial team (Christoph Hofstetter, Ralf Wagner, Chien-Min Lin, Ryu Kurokawa, Sehoon Kim, Jin-Sung Kim, and Dong Hwa Heo) for successful publication of the neurospine special issue.