Complex Spine Surgery: Synthesizing the Evidence through Case Discussion

Spine surgery is constantly evolving from recent advances in molecular and cell biology and materials sciences for application in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders to the incorporation of the latest trends in minimally invasive surgery. These rapid changes poise challenges for the experienced neurological and orthopaedic spine surgeon from understanding the controversies surrounding current treatment modalities to recognizing indicators for specific surgical techniques or approaches to complex spine problems.

This highly interactive course highlights advances, complications, controversies, and outcomes in the treatment of complex spinal problems. Motion preservation, bone biology, and minimally invasive surgery will be covered in depth as well as diagnostic issues, treatment methods, patient selection, and indications for surgical techniques and approaches to these problems. Problem-based decision-making will be utilized to develop logical algorithms for solving complex spinal problems.

The course format will include brief lectures and panel discussions with expert faculty, case presentations, and small group discussions. Cases will illustrate specific problems, principles, or techniques in different areas of complex spine surgery including trauma, degenerative spine disease (including osteoporosis and the aging spine), deformities, tumors, and infections.