Shifting Paradigms in Spinal Infection Management: The Rising Role of Spine Endoscopy—A Systematic Review and Case Series Analysis

The management of spinal infections, such as spondylodiscitis, remains a complex challenge. With advancements in technology, spinal endoscopy has emerged as a promising minimally invasive approach. This systematic review and case series aims to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic techniques in treating primary and post-operative spinal infections. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library, focusing on studies from 2000 to 2023. Our case series included patients treated with endoscopy for spinal infections in our institution between 2020 and 2023. The findings suggest that endoscopic techniques are associated with reduced tissue trauma, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery, while maintaining comparable clinical outcomes to traditional open surgery. Despite the relatively high pathogen identification rates and favorable clinical outcomes, complications such as residual infection and the need for re-operations were noted. These results emphasize the need for further research to optimize endoscopic procedures in spinal infection management, potentially paving the way for this technique to become a standard treatment option.