UBE surgical tools-muscle stripper

Structural features and advantages
Shape and size fit the UBE surgical channel
UBE muscle strippers are usually designed to be slender, and their length can meet the requirements of penetrating into the muscle tissue around the spine through the UBE surgical channel. This slender structure helps to reduce the space occupied in the surgical channel and avoid unnecessary compression of surrounding tissues. At the same time, its width and thickness are also carefully designed to ensure sufficient strength for muscle stripping operations, while not being unable to pass through the channel smoothly due to excessive size.
Diversity of head design
Blunt head design: The head end of some muscle strippers is blunt, which can avoid accidental puncture of blood vessels or damage to nerves when stripping muscles. Around the spine, muscle tissue is closely adjacent to nerves and blood vessels, and the blunt head end can perform safe separation operations along the direction of muscle fibers. For example, in cervical spine surgery, when stripping muscles such as the longus colli, the blunt head end can effectively separate the muscle from the surface of the vertebral body without damaging the vertebral artery and cervical nerve.
Slightly curved or angled head design: Some muscle strippers have a certain curvature or angle on their heads, which can better fit the physiological curve of the spine and the anatomical shape of the muscles. In lumbar surgery, the spine has a physiological lordosis, and the curved head can follow the curve of the lumbar spine and penetrate into the gap between the muscles and the vertebral body to perform muscle stripping more accurately. Moreover, the angle design can also allow the stripper to work in different directions. For example, when dealing with the muscles on the side of the spine, the appropriate angle can make the operation more convenient.
Material characteristics
Generally made of high-quality medical stainless steel or other materials with good biocompatibility and mechanical properties. This material has sufficient hardness to withstand the force during muscle stripping, and at the same time has a certain toughness to avoid breaking during operation. Moreover, the material surface is smooth, which is convenient for sliding between tissues, reducing friction and damage to tissues.
Application scenarios in UBE surgery
Application of cervical surgery
Anterior cervical surgery: In anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery, the muscle stripper is used to strip the muscles in front of the vertebral body (such as the longus colli muscle, etc.) from the surface of the vertebral body. The muscle stripper is inserted through the UBE surgical channel. The characteristics of its head end are used to gently push the muscle away along the origin and insertion of the muscle and the direction of the fiber, providing a clear surgical field and operating space for subsequent surgical operations (such as discectomy, intervertebral fusion device implantation, etc.). For example, in anterior surgery of the C4-C5 or C5-C6 cervical segments, the muscle stripper can effectively separate the muscle, reduce intraoperative bleeding and damage to surrounding tissues.
Posterior cervical surgery: In posterior cervical surgery, such as spinal canal decompression or posterior fusion surgery, the muscle stripper can be used to strip the paraspinal muscles. Since the muscles of the posterior cervical spine are relatively thin and have more nerves, using a suitable muscle stripper can avoid nerve damage. First, insert the stripper into the gap between the muscle and the lamina, and then separate the muscle from the lamina and the articular process joint surface through rotation, sliding and other operations, creating conditions for the placement of spinal canal decompression or fusion surgical instruments.
Application in Lumbar Surgery

Lumbar disc surgery: In UBE surgery for lumbar disc herniation, the muscle stripper is used to expose the muscles around the disc space. By stripping the erector spinae and other muscles in the waist, the disc space can be better positioned and entered. The design of its head end can help doctors quickly and effectively separate the muscles without damaging nerve roots and blood vessels, providing convenience for operations such as nucleus pulposus removal. For example, in L4-L5 or L5-S1 lumbar segment surgery, the muscle stripper can strip the muscles from around the disc along the side or back of the lumbar spine to expand the surgical field of view.

Lumbar spinal decompression and fusion surgery: In decompression surgery and lumbar fusion surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis, the muscle stripper is an indispensable tool. It can strip the muscles around the spinal canal (such as multifidus muscles, etc.) from structures such as lamina, facet joints and transverse processes. In decompression surgery, this helps to better expose the spinal canal and intervertebral foramen, facilitate the removal of hyperplastic bone and hypertrophic ligamentum flavum; in fusion surgery, it provides sufficient space for the implantation of fusion devices and bone grafting operations.
Thoracic Surgery Applications
Thoracic disc surgery: In the surgery of thoracic disc herniation, the muscle stripper is used to strip the muscle tissue between the thoracic vertebrae. Since the thoracic spine is protected by the ribs and thorax, the surgical space is relatively narrow. The slender shape and suitable head design of the muscle stripper can help it accurately strip the muscle in a limited space. By separating the muscle from the vertebral body and the disc, it creates good conditions for the treatment of the thoracic disc.
Thoracic fracture surgery: In thoracic fracture surgery, the muscle stripper can pull away the soft tissue around the fracture, which is convenient for observing the fracture and performing reduction and fixation operations. Stripping the muscle from the fractured vertebrae can reduce the interference of the muscle on the fracture reduction, while avoiding damage to the nerves and blood vessels in the muscle during the operation.
Operation precautions and skills
Operation precautions
The importance of visual operation: UBE surgery is performed under endoscopic visualization. Before using the muscle stripper, make sure that the endoscopic field of view is clear. Only by clearly seeing the relationship between the stripper and the surrounding tissues such as muscles, nerves, and blood vessels can a safe and effective operation be performed. Any blind operation may lead to complications such as tissue damage and bleeding.
Avoid excessive stripping and injury: During muscle stripping, avoid excessive force to prevent muscle tearing or damage to its blood supply. At the same time, pay attention to protecting nerves and blood vessels, especially in areas where muscles, nerves, and blood vessels are closely intertwined, such as near the intervertebral foramen of the spine and beside the spinal canal. If you encounter a situation with greater resistance, do not force the stripping, but check the cause. It may be that you encounter tough fascia, vascular branches, or nerve branches.
Cleaning and maintenance of instruments: Before surgery, check whether the head end of the muscle stripper is intact and whether there is any deformation or damage. After surgery, the instruments must be properly cleaned and disinfected to avoid surgical infection and instrument damage due to residual tissue or bacteria in the instruments.
Operation skills
Insertion skills: According to the anatomical path observed by the endoscope and the muscle distribution of the surgical site, slowly insert the muscle stripper at an appropriate angle and direction. During the insertion process, you can use its slender shape to carefully enter the gap between the muscle and the bone along the natural anatomical gap or the established working channel. For example, in posterior lumbar surgery, when inserting the muscle stripper, you can first insert it along the gap beside the spinous process, and then turn the head end to the gap between the lamina and the muscle.
Stripping skills: When performing muscle stripping, use gentle and gradual movements. Fully contact the head end of the stripper with the edge of the muscle, and then gradually separate the muscle from the bone surface through rotation, sliding and other operations according to the origin and insertion point of the muscle and the direction of the fiber. For tougher muscles or areas with tight adhesions, you can first use the blunt head end of the stripper for preliminary separation, and then switch to a head end with a curve or angle for more delicate operations as needed. Throughout the process, combined with real-time observation of the endoscope, the position and operation method of the stripper should be continuously adjusted to achieve the best stripping effect.