Lumbar Spinal Fusion: Established Surgical Techniques and Innovative Approaches

TOPICAL COLLECTIONS

Guest Editors

Hyeun-Sung Kim

Department of Neurosurgery, Harrison Spinartus Hospital Chungdam

Dr. Hyeun-Sung Kim is a neurosurgeon and the hospital director of Harrison Spinartus Hospital Chungdam in Seoul, South Korea. He specializes in minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery, including biportal endoscopic techniques and endoscopic fusion procedures. Dr. Kim serves as editor-in-chief of JMISST and holds editorial positions with World Neurosurgery, Neurospine, IJSS, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, and Medicine. He earned his medical degree from Chosun University College of Medicine (1994–1999) and has held leadership positions at several institutions, including Nanoori Gangnam Hospital. Dr. Kim has been an active contributor to national and international spine societies, serving as president of KOSESS (2020–2021), director of both the Korean Neurosurgical Society and the Korean Spinal Neurosurgery Society, and as president-elect of KOMISS. His honors include the 2018 Parviz Kambin Award and his role as director of the Endoscopic Spine Surgery Workshop at the 2019 NASS Annual Meeting. Dr. Kim has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and textbooks on minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery and continues to advance the field through his research, education, and clinical leadership.

Dong-Hwa Heo

Department of Neurosurgery, Harrison Spinartus Hospital Chungdam

Dr. Dong-Hwa Heo is a neurosurgeon and deputy director of the Endoscopic Spine Surgery Center at Harrison Spinartus Hospital in Seoul, South Korea. He earned his MD, MS, and PhD in neurosurgery from Yonsei University, where he also completed a clinical fellowship in spine surgery. Dr. Heo previously served as an assistant professor of neurosurgery at Hallym University Medical Center and CHA University, and later led spine centers at several major hospitals, including Bumin Hospital and Champodonamu Hospital. His primary interests include minimally invasive spine surgery, biportal endoscopic techniques, and endoscopic fusion surgery. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and textbooks in these fields and continues to contribute to advancing modern endoscopic spine surgery.

Collection Overview

Lumbar spinal fusion is increasingly important in aging societies, as the prevalence of degenerative spinal disorders continues to rise. With a growing emphasis on rapid recovery and improved patient outcomes, there is a strong demand for surgical techniques that maximize fusion success while minimizing invasiveness. Recent advances in minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery have demonstrated the ability to achieve both high fusion rates and faster postoperative recovery.

This Methods Collection aims to provide a comprehensive overview of established lumbar fusion techniques as well as innovative approaches, highlighting the procedural nuances, technical considerations, and perioperative management strategies that contribute to successful outcomes. By compiling step-by-step demonstrations from multiple expert centers, the collection will serve as a practical resource for surgeons, trainees, and researchers seeking to optimize lumbar fusion procedures.

Ultimately, this collection will facilitate the dissemination of best practices, promote reproducibility, and support ongoing research and clinical innovation in the field of spine surgery. It will help the research and clinical community understand the full spectrum of fusion techniques, from conventional open approaches to advanced minimally invasive and endoscopic methods, thereby improving patient care and advancing the field of spinal surgery.