Karachi Spine - Pain and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Workshop

Karachi Spine

Pain and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Workshop

The Department of Neurosurgery, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, in collaboration with World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, World Spinal Column Society, Middle East Spine Society, Asian Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and Pakistan Society of Neurosurgeons, organized the three-day workshop of the Karachi Spine 2017 from December 15 to 17, 2017.

The course was directed by Prof. Salman Sharif, Head of Department of Neurosurgery, Liaqat National Hospital Karachi; Dr Ovidiu Palea, a renowned pain specialist from Romania, and Dr. Mehmet Zileli, a notable Neuro-Spinal Surgeon from Turkey. We were honored by the guest faculty; Dr. Onur Yaman, spine deformity specialist from Istanbul, Dr. Nikolay Peev (Belfast) and Dr. Benedikt Burkhardt, a spine fellow from the University of Saarland, Germany. Prof. Tariq Salahuddin, former president of the Pakistan Society of Neurosurgeons encouraged us by his presence throughout the conference. We were also humbled to have participants from Kenya and Indonesia who were enthusiastic to learn from this workshop.

The faculty conducted a series of live surgeries to demonstrate procedures like Awake Transforaminal Discectomy, Awake Endoscopic Discectomy, Two-Level Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF), and a Lumbar Deformity Correction.

The lecture series began on December 15, during which detailed Endoscopic Surgery and the required anatomy, endoscopic interlaminar and transforaminal surgeries. The interactive lectures formed a bridge between the techniques and outcomes from different parts of the world. The faculty also touched on the particulars of Minimally Invasive Surgeries; laying out criteria for selecting patients for MIS, failed back syndrome, and preventing any and all complications. The lectures were followed by a hands-on Cadaver Workshops where participants learned Transforaminal Spine Techniques for discectomy, Transforaminal Injection, Endoscopic Discectomy, Open TLIF techniques, as well as Pain management with spinal injections. The day ended with a Gala Dinner at one of the historical sites in Karachi, the Frere Hall. This event was graced by the honorable Chief Minister of Sind, Mr. Murad Ali Shah as the Chief Guest, who appreciated the success of the academic activities and this workshop on the whole.

The second day lectures focused primarily on Minimally Invasive Surgeries, and how it compares to Open Spine Surgeries; Lateral Approaches; and Screw Technique. The hands on Cadaver Workshops, that followed, were on Interlaminar Endoscopy, MIS TLIF, Transpsoas Approach, MIS pedicle screw, and Injections. Dinner was organized at the Marina Boat Club so as to enjoy the chilling weather in the open sea and cherishing the beautiful sites at the coast of Karachi. The conference concluded on 17th December with live surgeries on the correction of Cervical Spine Kypho-Scoliosis, where the participants could observe the surgeries from the theatre as they were performed. The entire workshop was televised Live Online across the globe on Neurosurgical TV, and can be viewed later on as well.

The dedicated team of Karachi Spine 2017 succeeded in training its participants in an interactive and hands-on approach, and accomplished its goal of providing state-of-the-art knowledge and skills to the young neurosurgeons. We thank the entire faculty for their time and dedication and look forward to more training opportunities for young neurosurgeons in future.