Ten-Step Biportal Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Under Computed Tomography-Based Intraoperative Navigation: Technical Report and Preliminary Outcomes in Mexico

Abstract BACKGROUND The principal advantage of intraoperative spinal navigation is the ease of screw placement. However, visualization and the integration of navigation can be explored with the use of navigation-guided full-endoscopic techniques. OBJECTIVE To describe the stepwise intraoperative navigation-assisted unilateral biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (UBE-TLIF) technique and to present our preliminary results in a Mexican population. METHODS A 10-step summary of the UBE-TLIF operative technique was described, and the clinical and radiological results are presented and analyzed. RESULTS A total of 7 patients were treated. We observed the value of integrating navigation and endoscopic visualization when decompression had to be performed. CONCLUSION Together, intraoperative navigation and direct visualization through the endoscope may be a useful surgical tool for surgeons with experience in endoscopic spinal surgery.