What Is UBE Surgery? Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery Explained

Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic surgery — known as UBE — represents the latest evolution in minimally invasive spine surgery. It combines the advantages of traditional endoscopic spine surgery with greater surgical freedom and versatility. Dr. Ghazwan Hasan performed the first UBE TLIF (spinal fusion using biportal endoscopy) in Iraq, making this cutting-edge technique available to patients in Baghdad for the first time.

What Is UBE Surgery?

UBE stands for Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy. Unlike standard endoscopic spine surgery which uses a single working channel, UBE uses two separate small portals on the same side of the spine. One portal is for the endoscope (camera), and the other is the working channel for surgical instruments. This dual-portal approach gives the surgeon significantly more freedom of movement and instrument control compared to single-portal endoscopic techniques, while still using a high-definition camera and very small incisions.

How Does UBE Differ from Standard Endoscopic Surgery?

Standard endoscopic spine surgery uses a single working cannula through which both the camera and instruments pass. This can limit instrument angles and the range of procedures that can be performed. UBE separates the camera and instruments into two independent portals, giving the surgeon more control and the ability to perform more complex procedures — including spinal fusion (TLIF) — through an endoscopic approach. Both techniques use incisions under 1 cm per portal and avoid significant muscle damage.

What Conditions Can Be Treated with UBE?

UBE can be used to treat a wide range of spinal conditions including lumbar disc herniation, lumbar and cervical spinal stenosis, far lateral disc herniation (which can be difficult to reach with standard approaches), foraminal stenosis, and spinal instability requiring fusion (UBE TLIF). Dr. Hasan performs both UBE discectomy and decompression (for disc herniation and stenosis) and UBE TLIF (for cases requiring fusion).

Benefits of UBE Surgery

UBE surgery offers numerous advantages over both open surgery and single-portal endoscopy. Incisions are tiny — less than 1 cm per portal, with typically two portals per level. There is no significant muscle cutting or retraction. Blood loss is minimal. The high-definition endoscope provides magnified, crystal-clear visualization of the operative field. Most patients are walking within hours of surgery, and discharge occurs within 1 to 2 days. Recovery to full activity is typically 4 to 8 weeks, significantly faster than open surgery.

Iraq's First UBE TLIF — Performed by Dr. Ghazwan Hasan

Dr. Ghazwan Hasan performed the first UBE TLIF procedure in Iraq, marking a new milestone in spinal fusion surgery in the country. UBE TLIF allows a full spinal fusion operation — including disc removal, cage insertion, and pedicle screw fixation — to be performed through an endoscopic approach with incisions under 1 cm. This represents the least invasive form of lumbar fusion currently available, with outcomes comparable to open TLIF and dramatically faster recovery.

Book a UBE Surgery Consultation in Baghdad

If you have been told you need spine surgery and want to explore whether UBE or endoscopic techniques are suitable for your condition, contact Dr. Ghazwan Hasan at the Ashur Building, Al-Kindi Street, Harthiya, Baghdad. Call +964 771 409 9298 to schedule your consultation.