Endoscopic Spine Center

Orthopedic Surgery of NTT Medical Center Tokyo newly opened the Spine Endoscopy Center in April 2025 to provide specialized treatment for spinal diseases. We aim to provide minimally invasive and safe treatment based on the abundant treatment experience at the previous Spine Center.

Records of the Spine Center

• Number of treatment records of surgeries for spinal diseases in 2024：283
• Cumulative number of surgeries in the past eight years (Jan. 2017 to Dec. 2024)：Approximately 2,600

We provide specialized diagnosis and treatment for paralysis, severe pain, and numbness due to spinal diseases and aim at early recovery of patients.

Characteristics of spinal endoscopic surgery

Spinal endoscopic surgery is a surgical technique that has developed rapidly in recent years. It is minimally invasive and can be performed while closely observing nerves.

Main advantages

• Minimally invasive surgery：Small incisions minimize damage to the surrounding tissue.
• Reduction in the risk of bleeding and infection：The stress on the body is reduced and safety is improved.
• Improvement of neurological symptoms：Improvement of the symptoms can be expected due to precise surgery.
• Early discharge/early return to society：Fast recovery after surgery and smooth return to daily living

Target disease and surgical procedure

Cervical spine disease

• Cervical spondylotic myelopathy：Microendoscopic laminoplasty
• Cervical radiculopathy (cervical disc herniation and cervical spondylotic radiculopathy)： Endoscopic foraminotomy (microendoscopic laminectomy)

Lumbar spine disease

• Lumbar disc herniation：Endoscopic nucleotomy
• Lumbar spinal stenosis：Microendoscopic laminoplasty and microendoscopic laminectomy
• Spondylolisthesis：Endoscopic posterior lumbar interbody fusion

Our strengths in spinal endoscopic surgery

In our center, endoscopic nerve decompression is the first choice in cases requiring direct nerve decompression, even in cases of multiple intervertebral decompression. We aim to achieve high postoperative results by using instruments such as MED/L, FESS, and UBE according to the sites of surgery, symptoms before surgery, and imaging findings.

1. We also perform endoscopic surgery for cervical spine diseases.
   In particular, indication of endoscopic foraminotomy for cervical radiculopathy is determined after carefully considering the advantages and disadvantages for anterior cervical spine surgery.
2. We are also good at endoscopic lumbar surgery.
   The results one year after endoscopic lumbar surgery (ODI score) performed between 2019 and 2023 were significantly better than the average results of the 17 hospitals associated with the university medical offices to which we belong (P=0.02).
3. We also perform endoscopic surgery for posterior lumber decompression and fusion.

Safe treatment through team care

In our center, doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists work together and consider performing a safe and reliable surgery as the top priority. In addition, for the management of postoperative pain, we have a system to provide patients with specialized treatment in cooperation with the Pain Clinic.

Spine Endoscopy Centerdoes not stop implementing the conventional open method. We suggest the open method if necessary. We provide optimal treatment to each patient and create an environment where patients can undergo surgery with peace of mind. If you have any questions, please feel free to consult us.

Masahito Oshina, Center Chief