COURSE OVERVIEW
Traditional spinal surgery carries a risk for injury to back muscles and is associated with significant blood loss, long hospital stays and recovery times. Minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques and navigation for spinal surgery are rapidly evolving. Recent reports on less invasive spinal surgery indicate that minimally invasive spinal surgery reduces many downsides of traditional spinal surgery. Minimally invasive surgery and navigation include technically demanding techniques that require extensive updating of a surgeon’s skills through hands-on training and education.
Led by experienced faculty, the course provides a forum for exposure to the latest cutting edge techniques used in Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery. Significant time is dedicated to operative indication discussions. The problem-based decision making process is emphasized during these very interactive discussions.
BIOSKILLS LAB
Through intensive, hands-on sessions utilizing human anatomic specimens, participants will engage in surgical techniques and strategies for a range of procedures, including cervical, thoracic, and lumbar surgical techniques.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS
“Small Group Discussions” will be held in the late afternoon. Small groups will be formed to allow a unique opportunity for both the participant and Faculty to present cases for interactive discussion. Participants are requested to submit HIPAA-compliant cases on CD or memory device for these discussions prior to the scheduled Small Group Discussions.
ONLINE ACTIVITIES BEFORE THE COURSE
During the month leading up to the course, participants will engage in the following online activities designed to prepare for and optimize the time available in the face-to-face event:
· Precourse assessment
· Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)
o TLIF procedural videos
o Illustrated step-by-step guide for TLIF procedure
o Precourse reading of key chapters and sections from the most recent AOSpine MIS book
· Case forum discussion
o Cases presented by faculty members