World UBE Spine Society Launches Indian Subcontinent Chapter; Pune based spine surgeon Dr. Shailesh Hadgaonkar elected as Founding President
Chapter debut in India a historic milestone in the field of spine surgery
Pune : The World Unilateral Bi-portal Endoscopic (UBE) Spine Society has formally launched its India (Indian Subcontinent) Chapter, bringing together spine surgeons from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh under a unified academic and clinical platform.
Pune-based spine surgeon Dr. Shailesh Hadgaonkar , Chief of Spine & Neuroscience Unit at Sancheti Hospital Pune has been nominated as the Founding President of the India Chapter at the World UBE Spine Meeting held in Seoul, Korea recently in presence of Jeonf Yoon Park, President World UBE Spine Society. The appointment reflects a collective step forward for the endoscopic spine surgery community across the region, with a strong focus on academic excellence, research, and global collaboration.
The core leadership team includes Dr. Ketan Deshpande (Secretary General), Dr. Amol Rege (Vice President), and Kolkatta based spine surgeon Dr. Anindya Basu as Treasurer. A comprehensive organizational structure has been established, comprising executive, scientific, and academic committees with around 30 executive members representing institutions across the country.
Unilateral bi-portal endoscopic (UBE) spine surgery is an advanced minimally invasive procedure that uses two small portals—one for a high-definition endoscopic camera and the other for surgical instruments—to access the spine with precision. This endoscopic approach allows surgeons to operate through tiny incisions while continuously visualizing the surgical field on a screen, thereby minimizing damage to surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tissues. Unlike traditional open surgery, it avoids large cuts and extensive dissection, resulting in less blood loss, reduced post-operative pain, and faster recovery, said Dr Amol Rege . UBE can be effectively used across the entire spine, including cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back), and lumbar (lower back) regions. It is commonly indicated for conditions such as slipped discs, spinal stenosis, nerve compression, infections, and even certain fusion procedures, added Dr Ketan Deshpande. Dr Anindya Basu said that the technique combines the advantages of endoscopy with the flexibility of conventional instruments, making it a versatile and increasingly preferred option in modern spine care. The procedure has been developed in Korea over the past decade and widely adopted globally. Its cost-effectiveness and adaptability make it suitable even for smaller hospitals.
Dr. Shailesh Hadgaonkar said that this is an important milestone in the field of spine surgeries in India . The India Chapter aims to create structured academic programs, standardized training modules, and fellowship opportunities to ensure safe and effective adoption of this technique. With approximately 9-10 thousand spine surgeons in India, the initiative targets both young and experienced neurosurgeons and orthopaedic spine specialists who are increasingly transitioning toward endoscopic approaches.
The official installation ceremony of the India Chapter will be held on June 20–21, 2026, bringing together leading spine surgeons from across the country for the first in-person gathering following initial virtual meetings conducted in recent weeks.
Dr.Hadgaonkar said that the India Chapter will be aligned with global UBE chapters in the United States, Australia, China, and Korea and will facilitate international collaboration, workshops, and knowledge exchange—advancing the future of minimally invasive spine surgery in the region.