The Advanced Level Live Tissue Course—Avoiding Complications in Anterior Approaches and Complex Procedures, took place in Curitiba (BR), March 15–16, 2019. The two-day, hands-on course offered participants a chance to experience the common anterior approaches to the thoracic and lumbar spine and to perform an osteotomy of the posterior elements of the spine in a live-tissue environment. They also learned the principles in the avoidance and management of common complications and received an update on intersomatic arthrodesis.

 

This was a special edition because we celebrated the tenth edition of the course. Carefully selected faculty worked together to offer a very successful supervised live-tissue training throughout the course. The chairperson is Luiz Vialle (BR) and the educational advisor is Emiliano Vialle (BR).

 

We are pleased to share some numbers about the ten editions of this course:

 

• First edition: March 17–29, 2008, took place in Curitiba (BR). Subsequent editions took place March 26–28, 2009; April 22–24, 2010; April 15–16, 2011; March 22–23, 2013; March 28–29, 2014; April 1–2, 2016; March 10–11, 2017; and March 16–17, 2018
  
  
• Participants: 400 were trained
  
  
• Faculty: 90 (faculty, table instructor and faculty assistant) were involved

 

We are grateful for the support, commitment and hard work of the course directors and faculty group that allowed us to continuously deliver a high-level live tissue course. We also thank all the participants for their significant contributions and interest; without them, we would not have been able to consistently offer such an important educational event.

 

Check out the video with the best moments of these ten editions

 

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​First Advanced Level Specimen Course—Cervical Spine by AOSpine Latin AmericaThe specimen course was conducted April 26–27 in Palm Beach (US)

 

The first edition of the Advanced Level Specimen Course—Cervical Spine took place April 26–27, 2018, in Palm Beach (US). The aim of this course is to give participants a foundation of practical skills on commonly performed tasks regarding cervical spine.

 

The scientific program allowed the participants to:

 

• Understand the importance of soft tissue dissection and retractor placement in cervical spine approach.
  
  
• Identify the anatomical landmarks for an adequate spinal canal decompression during the anterior approach.
  
  
• Recognize the risk factors for dysphagia, dysphonia, and C5 palsy.
  
  
• Define the anatomical parameters to dissect the vertebral artery and how to prevent and manage its injury.
  
  
• Identify the anatomical landmarks and perform the placement of the cervical plate screw, C1 and C2 screw; and cervical lateral mass screw.
  
  
• Understand the limitations and benefits of laminoplasty and how to adequately perform the laminoplasty technique.

 

Theoretical sessions were provided online prior to the course in order to focus primarily on practical experience during the course. According to Asdrubal Falavigna (BR), course chairperson, “the pre-course activities helped to reinforce prior knowledge at the same time as it gave the necessary information to allow the participant to get the utmost from the information that he/she received during the training. By doing this, we increase the time for interaction during the course.”

 

 

​1 - 3<>

 

The face-to-face course had an intensive hands-on session utilizing human anatomical specimens. Participants engaged in surgical techniques and strategies for a range of cervical spinal procedures.

 

“The course provided high-quality education through a dynamic and interactive format focusing on research and education to advance the management of cervical spine disorders on a global basis using our principles of evidence-based medicine and proven care,” said Falavigna.

 

Finally, during practical exercises, two participants per workstation practiced different surgical procedures on anatomical specimens. Procedures included:

 

• Upper cervical spine discectomy and reconstruction
• C1–C2 screw fixation and craniocervical fixation
• Lower cervical spine corpectomy and stabilization
• C3–C7 lateral mass screws
• Cervicothoracic approach and spinal canal decompression
• Laminoplasty