Less-invasive spine surgery tech benefiting patients

Shanghai East Hospital said Friday that a patient from Hainan province has become the latest beneficiary of a spinal endoscopic technology known as uni-port bichannel dual-media, or UBD, which reduces incisions from about 20 centimeters to 1 cm.

The innovative procedure, developed by Professor He Shisheng of the hospital's minimally invasive spine center, represents a major milestone in spinal operations, the hospital said. The technology has secured 40 patents after a decade of research, according to the hospital affiliated with Tongji University.

While traditional open surgeries require incisions of roughly 20 cm, UBD limits them to about 1 cm, offering significant benefits for patients with complex spinal conditions, the hospital said. The technology uses dual channels — one providing a high-definition visual field and the other allowing precise operation in the affected area.