Spine Surgeon @ColumbiaNeuro @ColumbiaSpine @NYPHospital Minimally Invasive Scoliosis Surgery • @DukeSpine • @NeurosurgUCSF • @ColumbiaPS • @UCLA
Manhattan, NY
Joined April 2019
- Tweets698
- Following722
- Followers3K
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Andrew Chan, MD retweeted
@NewYorker did a write-up on our annual Neurosurgery Softball Tournament. 📖
Check the link below to read the article.
Illustration by João Fazenda newyorker.com/magazine/2026/…
The future of spinal deformity surgery is increasingly personalized—and minimally invasive.
Great to speak at the annual @carlsmed Power Forum in Encinitas, CA sharing my perspective on who the right patient is for MIS deformity (while playing MIS deformity @MythBusters) and how we can continue expanding what is possible through less invasive approaches.
Adult spinal deformity and scoliosis are some of the most complex applications of personalized spine surgery, and Carlsmed aprevo patient-specific cages give me a critical tool in translating a patient-specific surgical plan (including EOS patient-specific rods) into the operating room.
Awesome for Carlsmed to bring together a group of forward-thinking surgeons committed to spending a weekend discussing the current state and future of personalized spine surgery. I especially enjoyed the engagement and thoughtful questions afterward. The conversation around patient selection and pushing the boundaries of personalized MIS deformity surgery is exactly how we move the field forward.
#MISSpine #SpinalDeformity #MIS #minimallyinvasive #cMIS #PersonalizedSpineSurgery #Carlsmed #aprevo
@ColumbiaNeuro @NYPAdvances – at Encinitas, CA
Andrew Chan, MD retweeted
The future of spine surgery is being built today!
Day 1 of the AANS/NREF MISS & Emerging Technologies Course at Barrow Neurological Institute brought together an exceptional faculty and 27 senior neurosurgery residents for an immersive educational experience focused on minimally invasive spine surgery, emerging technologies, and evidence-based decision making. Through case-based discussions, hands-on cadaveric training, and collaboration with leaders in the field, participants are developing the skills that will shape the future of spine care.
A highlight of the day was hearing from AANS President Dr. E. Antonio Chiocca, who challenged and inspired attendees with his perspective on leadership, innovation, and the future of academic neurosurgery. His message reinforced the importance of investing in the next generation of neurosurgical leaders.
The AANS/CNS Spine Section is proud to support educational opportunities that foster excellence in patient care, technical innovation, and lifelong learning. Thank you to the course directors, distinguished faculty, Barrow Neurological Institute, the AANS, NREF, and all of the residents whose enthusiasm and dedication make this course such a success.
We look forward to another outstanding day of learning, collaboration, and hands-on training tomorrow.
#SpineSection #AANS #NREF #SpineSurgery #Neurosurgery #MedicalEducation #ResidentEducation #Innovation #MinimallyInvasiveSpine #Mentorship @AANSNeuro @NREFORG @BarrowNeuro @thejuansuribe @DrDiGiorgio @andrewchanMD @CheeragU
Every advancement in spine care starts with someone willing to share their experience.
The 2027 #SpineSummit Abstract Center is now open.
Whether it's clinical outcomes, a novel technique, or basic science, we'd love to see your work.
Join us @spinesection February 18–21 in Orlando.
Submit by September 3:
dspnspinesummit.org/abstract…
Andrew Chan, MD retweeted
New research in @SpinePhilaPA76 from @AndrewChanMD, @DeanChouMD et al found that residual coronal malalignment after minimally invasive surgery for adult spinal deformity was associated with delayed changes in functional outcomes.
Read the study below.
journals.lww.com/spinejourna…
Andrew Chan, MD retweeted
We caught up with @MGBneurosurgery's Mark Richardson, MD, PhD, during #ResidentResearchDay to ask him how his residency training at UCSF prepared him for his career. He also shared some great advice for aspiring neurosurgeon-scientists.
Andrew Chan, MD retweeted
Great representation from the Spine Section at the Neurosurgical Society of America meeting this week in Grand Cayman #NSA #SpineSurgery #DSPNSpineSection
@AndrewChanMD @DeanChouMD
Great time at the Neurosurgical Society of America Annual Meeting in Grand Cayman.
I had the opportunity to present on behalf of the QOD Spine CORe Study Group about the cost-effectiveness of minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery. Enjoyed the discussions afterward on improving value while delivering high-quality patient care.
Always great catching up with friends and colleagues, especially so many from the AANS/CNS @spinesection, QOD Spine CORe, and @ColumbiaNeuro.
Thanks to @DeanChouMD and the organizing committee for an outstanding meeting in an incredible setting.
#Neurosurgery #SpineSurgery #MIS #ValueBasedCare #HealthEconomics #QOD @NREFORG @AANSNeuro – at Cayman Islands
Andrew Chan, MD retweeted
Outstanding energy at the QOD / SpineCORe meeting during the AANS Annual Meeting as investigators, residents, medical students, fellows, and research coordinators from across the country came together to celebrate one of the most impactful collaborative research efforts in spine surgery.
Coinciding with #AANS2026, Journal of Neurosurgery: Focus released a dedicated SpineCORe™ special issue featuring 20 articles focused on cervical spondylotic myelopathy and grade 2 spondylolisthesis—highlighting the power of longitudinal, multicenter outcomes research driven through QOD data.
This special issue reflects years of collaboration, rigorous data collection, and thoughtful analysis from investigators nationwide—all with the shared goal of advancing evidence-based spine care and improving patient outcomes.
Behind every publication is an incredible team effort:
➡️ Principal investigators
➡️ Fellows, residents, and students
➡️ Research coordinators and clinical teams
➡️ National collaborators committed to high-quality outcomes science
A tremendous accomplishment for the SpineCORe™ and QOD community and a reminder of what can be achieved through collaboration, data, and shared purpose.
#DSPN #AANS2026 #QOD #SpineCORe #SpineSurgery #Neurosurgery #OutcomesResearch #TeamScience @AANSNeuro @CNSResidents @CNS_Update @andrewchanMD @DrDiGiorgio @eapotts @JNSPG_EIC @NREFORG @CheeragU
Presented at the @AANSNeuro Annual Scientific Meeting 2026 in San Antonio on MIS deformity—sharing nuances for ALIF + percutaneous screws and how to avoid complications.
Key pearls:
• Joystick technique → access steep L5–S1 with high-riding pubic bone
• Lateral surgery offset instruments → game changer in high sacral slope/high-grade slips and better than angled ALIF instruments
• Open collapsed discs methodically → release → distract → then trial
• Preserve endplates → curettes only
• Reduce slips → 2 screws down + rod-based “springboard” technique after navigated facet releases
Pitfalls:
• Overcorrection → stretch neuropraxia (if too much height) / early ASD (if too much lordosis)
• Hyperlordotic cages → iatrogenic foraminal stenosis, patient-specific cages can help as you can optimize both segmental lordosis and posterior disc height at the same time
Bottom line:
ALIF is the "Rolls-Royce" for L5-S1 and L5-S1 "plus" procedures. With proper planning + exposure, even steep angles and complex lumbosacral disc configurations shouldn’t preclude a safe ALIF.
#SpineSurgery #MIS #ALIF #SpinalDeformity #Neurosurgery #AANS2026 @ColumbiaNeuro #Scoliosis @spinesection – at Olmos Park, TX
Enjoyed presenting at the @MedUnivSC Institute for Neuroscience Discovery (MIND) 2026 Conference in Charleston today on the evolution of minimally invasive (MIS) deformity surgery.
Adult spinal deformity remains one of the most complex challenges in spine care. Historically, deformity correction requires large, invasive operations with significant recovery and risk.
Today, advances in navigation, lateral interbody techniques, and patient-specific technologies are redefining what’s possible.
At MIND 2026, I discussed how a circumferential MIS approach—leveraging interbody correction and percutaneous, patient-specific rod rotation and reduction—can restore alignment while reducing morbidity in appropriately selected patients.
Thoughtful patient selection remains critical, but indications continue to expand. If a sufficient number of mobile disc spaces exist to achieve alignment goals, MIS deformity techniques can be applied. Preoperative planning software is helpful to confirm.
#SpineSurgery #MinimallyInvasive #SpinalDeformity #Neurosurgery #Scoliosis #MIND2026 #Scoliosis #MISScoloisis #MIS #MISDeformity @ColumbiaNeuro – at Charleston, SC
Andrew Chan, MD retweeted
Well done, Dr. @andrewchanmd! This is a great story about the power of mentorship. Congratulations to your mentees! #Match2026
Of all the things I do in neurosurgery, one of the most rewarding is watching my mentees succeed.
From seeing my undergraduates publish their first manuscripts, to my medical students finally carrying their years-long research projects to fruition, to the residents who grow so much from intern year to when they graduate chief year ready to take on the world, and even our fellows who take with them our minimally invasive and prone lateral/lateral techniques and tell me when they complete their first lateral cases in practice, it is an honor to play even a small part in the development of these fine young individuals.
That’s why today I couldn’t be more proud to see not one but TWO of my mentees, Harrison Howell and Vardhaan Ambati, match with me here at the Columbia Department of Neurological Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
Harrison and Vardhaan worked so hard to get to this point—including tireless work on our research team—and now I get the opportunity to mold their spine clinical and surgical training.
Looking forward to the next 7 years!
@ColumbiaNeuro
@Columbia
Of all the things I do in neurosurgery, one of the most rewarding is watching my mentees succeed.
From seeing my undergraduates publish their first manuscripts, to my medical students finally carrying their years-long research projects to fruition, to the residents who grow so much from intern year to when they graduate chief year ready to take on the world, and even our fellows who take with them our minimally invasive and prone lateral/lateral techniques and tell me when they complete their first lateral cases in practice, it is an honor to play even a small part in the development of these fine young individuals.
That’s why today I couldn’t be more proud to see not one but TWO of my mentees, Harrison Howell and Vardhaan Ambati, match with me here at the Columbia Department of Neurological Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
Harrison and Vardhaan worked so hard to get to this point—including tireless work on our research team—and now I get the opportunity to mold their spine clinical and surgical training.
Looking forward to the next 7 years!
@ColumbiaNeuro
@Columbia
Having a cage perfectly fit to a patient’s unique anatomy is intuitive and makes sense.
The additional advantage not emphasized enough is the Carlsmed Aprevo platform allows me to virtually plan and “perform” the surgery ahead of time.
Then, in the operating room, I can get a predictable result in terms of disc height restoration and lordosis restoration by using the pre-planned, patient-specific cage.
Among a sea of spine surgical innovation - this is certainly one of the biggest leaps forward.
Happy to be able to offer it to my patients ✅
Last month, @andrewchanMD completed his 100th AI-powered, patient-specific spine implant using custom-designed cages.
A major step toward precision spine surgery at @nyphospital Och Spine, with @DeanChouMD also adopting the tech.
Learn more: bit.ly/3ZVkAGj
@CARLSMED
Andrew Chan, MD retweeted
Columbia Neurosurgery is heading to #SpineSummit2026 in Phoenix!
@andrewchanMD will direct a session on elevating safety in cervical spine surgery, and @DeanChouMD will moderate on deformity research and debate spine tumor management.
Learn more: bit.ly/4kJp2l2
Andrew Chan, MD retweeted
🧠 Neurosurgeons: Heroes who conquer the impossible every day! 💪 Yes, the grind is real—50+ hrs/week, intense call—but the impact? Saving lives, pushing boundaries, & inspiring generations! #MedTwitter #Neurosurgery #WorkLifeBalance … instagr.am/p/DUWKmvDEVcu/
