Course Overview
This course is designed for senior orthopaedic and neurosurgery residents and early-career spine fellows seeking to develop surgical skills in spine surgery. It combines theoretical instruction with practical, hands-on training.
Content
The course covers anatomy, surgical techniques for spine pathology and trauma, indications, contraindications, and instrumentation across the thoracic to sacral regions. Both open and minimally invasive approaches are addressed. Specific procedures include pedicle screw placement, spinopelvic fixation, lumbar and thoracic osteotomies, interbody fusion techniques, microdiscectomy, and microscope-assisted decompression.
Format
Instruction is delivered through lectures and practical sessions using full spine anatomical specimens. Hands-on training is conducted at a 1:2 expert-to-participant ratio under direct supervision.
Location
The course is held at the University of Ioannina.
Target Audience
Senior residents in orthopaedic or neurosurgery and junior spine fellows.