What is the unilateral dual-channel spinal endoscopy technique (UBE/BESS)

In recent years, unilateral dual-channel spinal endoscopy (UBE/BESS) has attracted a lot of attention from spine surgeons. Compared to single-channel endoscopic techniques, UBE has many advantages such as a relatively gentle learning curve, a more comprehensive microscopic view, more flexible instrumentation, and more instrumentation options, and has been used in the removal of herniated disc nuclei, decompression of spinal canal or foraminal stenosis, removal of intracanal cysts, hematomas, and abscesses, and endoscopic-assisted interbody fusion, which will enable more minimally invasive, endoscopic treatment of more complex degenerative spinal diseases in the future, endoscopic treatment. There are two potential gaps in the posterior spine, one is the multifidus triangle and the other is the gap between the muscle and the vertebral plate (Son’s space), which is the anatomical basis for the establishment of the initial operating space, and we can rely on the hydrostatic pressure of endoscopic entry and physical traction to further expand this initial working space. This is also the most important step in the UBE operation. The UBE operation requires two small incisions, one of approximately 5 mm for arthroscopic insertion for observation and continuous saline irrigation, and the other of approximately 8-10 mm for manipulation of the instrument entry and saline outflow. The paravertebral muscles are dilated with dilators to gently push the soft tissues apart to create the space, and with the inflow of saline, the space is created and ready for use.The UBE uses two separate percutaneous channels, with no dilatation or compression of the incision and paravertebral muscles; the floating endoscope and decompression instruments are triangulated and separated from each other, and can be tilted and moved at will for ease of operation and flexibility; the continuous water irrigation helps to The continuous water irrigation helps to create a working space, reduce bleeding and maintain a clear surgical field; intraoperative decompression can be performed with common surgical instruments with high efficiency and lower cost than single-channel laminectomy techniques. The advantages of the UBE/BESS technique include a wide range of surgical indications, less postoperative pain and trauma, excellent performance in terms of VAS scores, bleeding, bed rest and length of stay, rapid recovery, low complication rates, and better protection of intervertebral stability.