A previously risky and time-consuming type of major spinal surgery requiring several days of recovery has now been turned into a short outpatient procedure.

John C. Chiu, a leading international spinal surgeon and pioneer of endoscopic minimally invasive spinal surgery, demonstrated technology now being used during the procedure at the Shanghai East International Medical Centre during a three-day international workshop which ended on Monday.

Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery, or MISS for short, a surgical technique now being widely used in the West but still new to China, involves inserting a small endoscope, micro spinal instruments and sometimes a laser probe through a small 4mm incision in the back, and into the damaged region of the spinal disc. Delicate micro-decompression and repair of the disc can then be performed with only the use of a local anesthetic.

World-class surgical instrument and equipment makers of Germany-based Karl Storz Endoskope Co and US-based Trimedyne Laser Co showcased some of their latest innovations and provided hands-on training and a certification course for interested surgeons.

Dr Chiu was born in Fujian, East China, attended the Baylor University College of Medicine in the United States, and received neurosurgical training at the Mayo School of Medicine.