Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency, Kolkata, 27th September 2026: Leading spine surgeons from India and across the world came together in Kolkata for Asian UBE Meet 2026, a two-day academic meeting focused on the evolving role of Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery (UBE) in minimally invasive spine care. Organised by Manipal Hospitals Kolkata with academic support from the World UBE Society, the meeting brought together international and national experts for scientific discussions, case-based learning and exchange of clinical experiences in advanced endoscopic spine surgery. The event was graced by the presence of Shri Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay, Hon’ble Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, whose presence underscored the significance of advancing specialised and minimally invasive healthcare in the region.
The meeting was organised under the leadership of Dr Anindya Basu, Organising Chairman, Asian UBE Meet 2026, and Clinical Lead & Senior Consultant, Spine Surgery, Manipal Hospitals Mukundapur, with the support of the organising committee and participating faculty. The programme saw participation from experienced spine surgeons from the United Kingdom, Singapore, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bahrain and Egypt, alongside leading specialists from across India.
Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery (UBE) is an evolving minimally invasive technique that uses two small portals to provide access to the spine while enabling surgeons to perform a range of spinal procedures. As the adoption of endoscopic techniques continues to grow, clinical discussions around patient selection, surgical planning, technical nuances, outcomes and management of complications remain critical to ensuring their appropriate and effective use.
The scientific programme featured expert lectures, interactive panel discussions, case-based sessions and surgical learning, covering key aspects of endoscopic spine surgery and UBE. Discussions explored evolving surgical techniques, patient selection, management of complex cases, clinical outcomes and approaches to handling intraoperative and postoperative complications. The meeting also enabled surgeons from different healthcare systems to share practical experiences and perspectives from their respective clinical practices.
The international and national faculty included Miguel Carvalho (Portugal); Ashok Subramanian (United Kingdom); Gee Teak Sheng (Malaysia); Hani Assoum (Bahrain); and Shailesh Hadgaonkar (Pune), among several other distinguished spine surgeons and experts. Their participation enriched the academic programme and facilitated cross-border knowledge exchange on the evolving applications of endoscopic spine surgery.
Shri Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay, Hon’ble Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, said, “Conferences such as these bring together doctors and healthcare industry professionals to share experiences, exchange knowledge and learn from one another. Such meaningful collaboration not only strengthens clinical practice but also contributes to the continuous evolution of healthcare, with a shared focus on delivering better outcomes and more patient-centred care.”
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Anindya Basu, Organising Chairman, Asian UBE Meet 2026, and Clinical Lead & Senior Consultant, Spine Surgery, Manipal Hospitals Mukundapur, said, “Endoscopic spine surgery is steadily expanding the scope of minimally invasive spine care, with the potential to reduce postoperative discomfort and support an earlier return to normal activities in appropriately selected patients. Asian UBE Meet 2026 provided a valuable platform to critically discuss surgical techniques, patient selection, challenging cases and clinical outcomes, while learning from the experiences of experts practising across different healthcare settings. Such academic exchanges are important in strengthening evidence-based practice and advancing the safe and appropriate adoption of endoscopic spine surgery.”
Dr. S Vidyadhara, Chairman and HOD for Spine Surgery, Consultant for Robotic Spine Surgery, and Co-Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board at Manipal Hospitals, Old Airport Road in Bengaluru said, “It was a privilege to be part of the Asian UBE Meet, which brought together leading experts from across the world to exchange knowledge, clinical experiences and insights on the evolving landscape of spine care. Such platforms reflect Manipal Hospitals’ longstanding commitment to advancing education, academics and clinical excellence. UBE is an important development in minimally invasive spine surgery, offering a technique that can minimise tissue disruption and surgical trauma while enabling smaller incisions and potentially supporting faster recovery in appropriately selected patients.”
The meeting concluded with interactive case-based discussions on complex spine conditions, offering participating surgeons’ practical insights into surgical planning, technique selection and decision-making in challenging cases. By bringing together experts from across India and around the world, Asian UBE Meet 2026 highlighted the importance of continuous medical education, collaboration and knowledge-sharing in shaping the future of minimally invasive spine surgery.