
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Symposium: Endoscopic Techniques - May 30-31, 2025
Overview
Program Overview
Rooted in our commitment to the highest standards of patient care, professional education, and innovative techniques, our mission is to promote an advanced training course held for orthopedic and neurosurgeons specializing in spinal conditions. Distinguished speakers of international acclaim will delve into precise and specialized topics within endoscopic and minimally invasive spine surgery. While several minimally invasive approaches to the spine are used widely among spine surgeons in academic institutions and the community, the endoscopic approach is an emerging technique which is yet to be widely adopted. The approach itself carries several technical nuances which require in depth teaching on anatomy and endoscope ergonomics. We hope to educate and discuss indications and techniques for advancing the spine surgeon’s current understanding of the approach.
In-Person and Virtual attendance options are available.
FEES
IN-PERSON | FEE | |
Physician (Private physician located inside the Greater Houston Area)* | $125 | |
Physician (Private physician located outside the Greater Houston Area) | $75 | |
Physicians (Houston Methodist) (HM PCG, SPG, MPAQ and ACO PCPs) | Complimentary | |
Residents / Fellows / Students | Complimentary |
VIRTUAL Virtual does not include hands-on workshops or Friday evening dinner lectures. | FEE | |
Physician (Private physician located inside the Greater Houston Area)* | $125 | |
Physician (Private physician located outside the Greater Houston Area) | $75 | |
Physicians (Houston Methodist) (HM PCG, SPG, MPAQ and ACO PCPs) | Complimentary | |
Residents / Fellows / Students | Complimentary |
*In compliance with HM’s policy on Physician Non-Monetary Compensation regarding “Stark Law,” private physicians who reside and/or practice medicine within the Greater Houston Area are required to pay the full Fair Market Value registration fee.
Target Audience
Neurosurgeons, Orthopedic Surgeons, Fellows and Residents
Learning Objectives
- Discuss the various approaches to the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine using the endoscope.
- Identify pathologies that would be best treated with the endoscope and identify the right approach for the most optimal outcome.
- Explain common potential pitfalls and complications in endoscopic spine surgery.
Program
Agenda │ Friday, May 30, 2025 | ||||
Time | Speaker | Topic | Location | Virtual Attendance Available? |
5:00 PM | Paul Holman, MD & Meng Huang, MD | Welcome and Course Outline | HM Research Institute | Yes |
5:10 PM | Paul Houle, MD | Current State of Endoscopic Spine Surgery; Where we came from, where we are, and where are we headed? | HM Research Institute | Yes |
5:30 PM | Patrick Kim, MD | Lumbar Stenosis: Approach Considerations and Patient Selection | HM Research Institute | Yes |
5:50 PM | Andrew Chung, DO | Biportal Endoscopy: Indications, Complication Avoidance | HM Research Institute | Yes |
6:10 PM | Jian Shen, MD, PhD | Endoscopic Uniportal Fusion: Update on Technologies and Techniques | HM Research Institute | Yes |
6:30 PM | Break for Dinner, Exhibits | No | ||
7:45 PM | Dinner with Lectures | III by Wolfgang Puck | No | |
Patrick Kim, MD v Dan Park, MD | Endoscopic Decompression: Uniportal Vs Biportal Decompression | III by Wolfgang Puck | No | |
Jian Shen, MD, PhD v Dan Park, MD | Endoscopic Fusion: Uniportal Vs Biportal | III by Wolfgang Puck | No | |
Agenda │ Saturday, May 31, 2025 | ||||
Time | Speaker | Topic | Location | Virtual Attendance Available? |
7:00 AM | Registration and Breakfast | HM Research Institute | Yes | |
7:45 AM | Paul Holman, MD & Meng Huang, MD | Welcome and Course Outline | HM Research Institute | Yes |
8:00 AM | John Ogunlade, MD | Lumbar Interlaminar Approach: Patient Selection, Pitfalls | HM Research Institute | Yes |
8:20 AM | Greg Basil, MD | Lumbar Transforaminal Approach: Patient Selection, Pitfalls | HM Research Institute | Yes |
8:40 AM | Mark Mahan, MD | Scope Ergonomics/Handling both Transforaminal and Interlaminar | HM Research Institute | Yes |
9:00 AM | Paul Holman, MD | The Deformity Patient: When is endoscopic decompression appropriate? | HM Research Institute | Yes |
9:20 AM | Suraj Sulhan, MD | Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy/Discectomy | HM Research Institute | Yes |
9:40 AM | Sanjay Konakondla, MD | Thoracic Endoscopic Discectomy | HM Research Institute | Yes |
10:00 AM | Demos/ Labs | HM Research Institute | No | |
10:20 AM | Break for Lab | No | ||
10:20:00 AM - 12:20:00 PM | Lab | MITIE | No | |
12:20 PM | Lunch | MITIE | No | |
1:00 PM | Lab | MITIE | No | |
4:00 PM | Adjourn |
Venue

In-person attendance will be held in the Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Avenue, Houston, Texas 77030).
Virtual information will be provided to registered learners.
Travel
Click here for a list of nearby hotels.
The following hotels are recommended based on their proximity to the Houston Methodist Research Institute:
- Marriott Houston Medical Center (connected to the Houston Methodist Hospital via indoor crosswalk)
- Westin Houston Medical Center (located next to the Marriott)
Accreditation
Available Credit
- 3.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Houston Methodist is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Houston Methodist designates this Live activity for a maximum of 3.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- 3.25 Attendance
Exhibitors/Sponsors
Please help support this educational activity! Exhibitor and Sponsor opportunities are available! Please contact amshupak@houstonmethodist.org for more information.
Register/Take course
Price
FEES
IN-PERSON | FEE | |
Physician (Private physician located inside the Greater Houston Area)* | $125 | |
Physician (Private physician located outside the Greater Houston Area) | $75 | |
Physicians (Houston Methodist) (HM PCG, SPG, MPAQ and ACO PCPs) | Complimentary | |
Residents / Fellows / Students | Complimentary |
VIRTUAL Virtual does not include hands-on workshops or Friday evening dinner lectures. | FEE | |
Physician (Private physician located inside the Greater Houston Area)* | $125 | |
Physician (Private physician located outside the Greater Houston Area) | $75 | |
Physicians (Houston Methodist) (HM PCG, SPG, MPAQ and ACO PCPs) | Complimentary | |
Residents / Fellows / Students | Complimentary |