We Wrote the Textbook on Endoscopic Spine Surgery — Literally

Posted on: July 21st, 2026 by Our Team

When patients research a spine surgeon, they usually look for experience: how many procedures has this surgeon performed, and for how long. That matters. But there’s a second question worth asking that most patients don’t think to ask: is this surgeon shaping how the next generation of surgeons is trained?

We’re proud to share that Dr. Kern Singh has co-edited the new Textbook of Endoscopic Spine Surgery, 1st Edition, published by Elsevier — alongside co-editors Dr. Daniel K. Park and Dr. Kim. This is now one of the primary references used to train orthopedic and neurosurgical spine surgeons in endoscopic technique.

Why this matters if you’re considering endoscopic spine surgery

Endoscopic spine surgery is still a relatively new and rapidly evolving field. Unlike open or traditional minimally invasive surgery, which have decades of standardized training behind them, endoscopic technique varies significantly from surgeon to surgeon — largely because formal, comprehensive training resources have only recently caught up to the technology.

That’s the gap this textbook was written to close. It brings together detailed, evidence-based guidance on endoscopic technique — from patient selection and surgical approach to complication avoidance — intended to standardize and elevate how endoscopic spine surgery is taught and practiced.

What it means for you as a patient

• Your surgeon isn’t just performing endoscopic technique — he’s helping define it. Editing the reference text in a surgical subspecialty means synthesizing and evaluating the evidence and technique of the entire field, not just one practice’s experience.
• This is part of a broader pattern, not a one-off. Dr. Singh has edited or authored more than a dozen spine surgery textbooks and references over his career, spanning minimally invasive technique, spinal oncology, and now endoscopic surgery specifically — the field is moving toward exactly the outpatient, tissue-preserving approaches this practice has focused on for years.
• Better-trained surgeons, system-wide, benefit patients everywhere — including the surgeons your friends, family, or your own second opinion may see. A textbook like this raises the standard of care broadly,
  just within one practice.

Learn more

If you’re weighing whether an endoscopic approach is right for your spine condition, explore our endoscopic spine surgery treatment page or request a consultation to discuss your specific case with Dr. Singh.