Houston Methodist Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Symposium Endoscopic Techniques 2026

Event starts: 05/29/2026 – 5:00pm CDT
Rooted in our commitment to the highest standards of patient care, professional education, and innovative techniques, our mission is to promote an advanced training course held for orthopedic and neurosurgeons specializing in spinal conditions. Distinguished speakers of international acclaim will delve into precise and specialized topics within endoscopic and minimally invasive spine surgery. While several minimally invasive approaches to the spine are used widely among spine surgeons in academic institutions and the community, the endoscopic approach is an emerging technique which is yet to be widely adopted. The approach itself carries several technical nuances which require in depth teaching on anatomy and endoscope ergonomics. We hope to educate and discuss indications and techniques for advancing the spine surgeon’s current understanding of the approach.

Target Audience

Neurosurgeons, Orthopedic Surgeons, Fellows and Residents

Learning Objectives

Discuss the various approaches to the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine using the endoscope.
Identify pathologies that would be best treated with the endoscope and identify the right approach for the most optimal outcome.
Explain common potential pitfalls and complications in endoscopic spine surgery.

+ Topics:

01 Lumbar Interlaminar Discectomy – Managing Choke Points From Canal Entry to Nerve Root Decompression

02 Transforaminal Lumbar Endoscopy – Avoiding Errors in Trajectory, Foraminoplasty, and Nerve Root Protection

03 Ergonomics in Endoscopic Spine Surgery – Preventing Musculoskeletal Injury and Improving Technique

04 Endoscopic Thoracic Discectomy – Selecting Appropriate Cases and Avoiding Spinal Cord Injury

05 Cervical Stenosis and Myelopathy – Endoscopic Unilateral Laminotomy for Bilateral Decompression

06 Endoscopic Thoracic Discectomy – Docking, Anatomic Landmarks, and Safe Spinal Cord Protection

07 Endoscopic Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy – Surgical Anatomy, Bone Removal, and Nerve Root Decompression

08 Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy – Targeting and Access for Interlaminar and Transforaminal Approaches

09 Endoscopic Treatment of Spontaneous CSF Leaks – Diagnosis, Targeting, and Ventral Dural Repair