The Parviz Kambin Award
One of the key trailblazers in endoscopic spine surgery, Dr. Parviz Kambin, was the first surgeon in the world to highlight the potential of transforaminal endoscopic access as the natural access channel for herniated discs (TESSYS® = Transforaminal Endoscopic Surgery System).
In a series of trials on anatomical specimens, he identified a working area within the intervertebral foramen through which the spinal canal can be safely accessed. Since this safe zone is roughly triangular in shape, it was named ”Kambin‘s triangle.“
Setting the Pace for the Future
Together with SMISS (Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery), joimax® established the Parviz Kambin Award in 2011. The award honors spine surgeons who have notably excelled in advancing endoscopic spine surgery, particularly in the use of transforaminal access techniques. It has come to symbolize the importance of continuous development, from early advances toward a sustainable future in endoscopy.
The Parviz Kambin Award was presented for the first time in April 2011, during the international joimax® user meeting at the Annual AANS Congress in Denver (Colorado, USA).
Previous Winners of the Award
- Parviz Kambin, MD, PhD (Philadelphia, PA)
- Dr. Michael Schubert (Munich, DE)
- Dr. Menno Iprenburg (Veenhuizen, NL)
- Anthony Yeung, MD (Phoenix, AZ)
- Dr. Florian Alfen (Würzburg, DE)
- Daniel Laich, DO (Chicago,IL)
- Gabriele Jasper, MD (Brick, NJ)
- Albert Telfeian, MD, PhD (Providence, RI)
- Sang-Ho Lee, MD, PhD (Seoul, KR)
- Dr. Ralf Wagner (Frankfurt/Main, DE)
- Dr. Guntram Krzok (Friedrichroda, DE)
- Alastair Gibson, MD (Edinburgh, UK)
”Keyhole“ Operations
Dr. Parviz Kambin was the first surgeon, who described the transforaminal endoscopic access to herniated discs. This access, through the opening in the intervertebral foramen, is considered by experienced surgeons to be the gentlest procedure currently available – the ”gold standard“ in disc surgery.