Advancing Full-Endoscopic Decompression and Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion (OLIF): Hybrid Strategies, Biomechanics, and Outcome Optimization in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) has shifted from simple tissue-sparing access to precision structural reconstruction and targeted neural decompression. Among contemporary MIS techniques, spinal endoscopy (including full-endoscopic transforaminal/interlaminar approaches and unilateral biportal endoscopy [UBE]) and oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) represent two pillars of surgical care for degenerative lumbar disorders and adult spinal deformity.While OLIF reliably achieves indirect neural decompression, disk height restoration, and coronal-sagittal realignment through a retroperitoneal prepsoas window without direct posterior canal exposure, its standalone utility can be limited in cases with severe central canal stenosis, migrated disk fragments, or osteophytic lateral recess entrapment. Conversely, full-endoscopic decompression provides high-definition, targeted neural decompression with minimal muscular disruption, yet cannot address gross segmental instability or substantial deformity. Combining OLIF with targeted endoscopic decompression or utilizing both modalities in complementary stages offers a powerful hybrid pathway that maximizes surgical efficiency and reduces perioperative morbidity.Significant questions remain regarding surgical sequencing, patient selection, biomechanical stability, prevention of approach-specific complications, and host-related recovery variables. Critical issues such as post-endoscopic rebound pain, cage subsidence, endplate preparation quality, cage positioning relative to bone mineral density and sarcopenia, and the integration of robotic or navigated percutaneous instrumentation require rigorous evaluation.This Research Topic aims to establish high-level clinical and biomechanical evidence regarding the application, nuances, and comparative outcomes of spinal endoscopy and OLIF, both as standalone techniques and as combined hybrid solutions. We welcome original clinical investigations, comparative cohort studies, biomechanical analyses, technical notes on novel surgical workflows, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.Themes of InterestWe encourage submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following sub-themes:Hybrid and Staged Surgical Workflows: Indications, technical nuances, and clinical outcomes of OLIF combined with immediate or staged full-endoscopic (UBE or uniportal) direct decompression versus conventional open or tubular decompression.Advanced Indications in Complex and Deformity Cases: Application of OLIF and endoscopic spine surgery in adult spinal deformity, degenerative scoliosis, multi-level spondylolisthesis, and revision spine surgery (e.g., adjacent segment disease, nonunion).Perioperative Complication Prevention and Management: Risk factors, predictive models, and management strategies for complications specific to endoscopic and prepsoas approaches (e.g., postoperative dysesthesia, sympathetic chain irritation, vascular injuries, dural tears, cage subsidence, and postoperative rebound pain).Computer-Assisted Navigation, Robotics, and AI: Integration of robot-assisted pedicle screw placement, real-time surgical navigation, and artificial intelligence in preoperative trajectory planning, cage sizing, and radiation reduction.Host Factors, Biomechanics, and Enhanced Recovery (ERAS): The clinical impact of sarcopenia, muscle fat infiltration, bone quality (osteoporosis/osteopenia), and nutrition on fusion rates, functional recovery, and subsidence after OLIF and endoscopic procedures.Comparative Effectiveness and Health Economics: Prospective and high-volume retrospective comparative studies evaluating endoscopic vs. microscopic decompression, standalone OLIF vs. instrumented constructs, and health-economic assessments. Topic editors: Keyi Yu, Laura Scaramuzzo Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/86842/advancing-full-endoscopic-decompression-and-oblique-lateral-interbody-fusion-olif-hybrid-strategies-biomechanics-and-outcome-optimization-in-minimally-invasive-spine-surgery