Is YouTube a Reliable and Quality Source on Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery? A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the quality and reliability of YouTube videos focusing on Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic(UBE) spine surgery, a novel technique for spinal decompression in degenerative spinal disease. MethodsThis cross-sectional study, conducted in February 2023, involved an online search on YouTube using the term "unilateral biportal endoscopic spine surgery".Video popularity was assessed using the Video Power Index. Video reliability and quality were measured using the Global Quality Scale, the Journal of American Medical Association benchmark criteria, and the modified-DISCERN instrument. ResultsNinety-three videos were included for evaluation.Uploader profiles were categorised by continent, with 61.3% from Asia, 35.5% from the USA, 2.2% from Africa, and 1.1% from Australia. When comparing three groups as South Korea, USA, and other countries, no significant differences were observed in the technical characteristics of the videos.However, the educational quality and reliability of the videos were higher in those uploaded from South Korea (p<0.001).When the videos were divided into two groups according to their educational quality, significant difference were noted in video duration, loading time, video quality, and reliability(p<0.001). ConclusionsThe YouTube videos on UBE spine surgery showed high quality and reliability. However, videos from South Korea were found to have higher educational quality and reliability, while other specifications were similar for all videos. Furthermore, it was determined that videos uploaded more recently and with longer duration were of higher quality.