AO Spine Advanced Course - Cervical Spine: Dealing with Complex, Revision and Deformity Problems (With Human Anatomical Specimens) - (Nov 30 - Dec 02, 2026)

AO Spine Advanced Course - Cervical Spine: Dealing with Complex, Revision and Deformity Problems (With Human Anatomical Specimens) is organized by AO Foundation and will be held from Nov 30 - Dec 02, 2026 in Davos, Canton, Switzerland.

Description:
This AO Spine course includes 1.5 days of interactive discussions and one full day of hands-on exercises on human anatomical specimens. Prior to the course, online pre-learning materials will be made available to the participants. 

The backbone of the course consists of case-based discussions and practical exercises of case assessment and treatment planning, where participants and faculty interact in small groups to discuss the most relevant aspects of the topics, building on the experience and educational needs of the participants. Short lectures address some of the key competencies required to effectively address the clinical problems presented. 

During the hands-on sessions, experienced faculty will guide and interact with participants, who will perform the procedures. This ensures that the learning experience is complete and immersive. Each practical exercise table has four participants with one table instructor. 

Finally in three different phases of the course (precourse, face-to-face, and postcourse) participants engage in a discussion group through an online learning platform. Postcourse engagement in such a community of practice has shown to be an important enhancer of learning and translation into practice of what has been learned.

Goal:
Successful cervical spine complex surgery can be a demanding task. This course enhances knowledge and skills to tackle complex cervical spine disorders with success and increased comfort, including potential complications. The hands-on section helps participants understand and successfully plan cervical spine deformity surgery.

Objectives:
At the end of this course, participants will be able to: 

• Measure objective parameters of alignment of the trunk and cervical spine and based on this assessment execute a surgical plan 
• Perform the key steps in common correction techniques for cervical spine deformity (fixation, osteotomies, etc) 
• Describe drivers of complications and define a plan to prevent them 
• Define a strategy for successful revision surgery and identify the challenges 
• Perform the key steps of advanced anterior and posterior approaches to the cervical spine