June 9–12, 2027 Yokohama, Japan
June 9–12, 2027 Yokohama, Japan
The Global Spine Congress 2026 features a series of pre-courses and hands-on workshops covering some of the most current topics and techniques for spine care professionals. Note: You must be registered for the GSC to attend pre-courses or workshops. You can purchase either a full-day or half-day ticket and attend multiple pre-course sessions within the time frame. AO Spine member discounts do not apply to pre-course registrations.
Workshops:
All our hands-on workshops are priced at € 300.
Pre-courses:
Pricing for the pre-courses (the price enables you to go back and forth between pre-courses):
Date: Wednesday, May 27
Time: 08:00 – 12:00
Room 5
Chairs:
Samuel Cho
Vit Ko
Description:
This workshop is designed to prepare surgeons for the next phase of the rapidly evolving field of endoscopic spine surgery (ESS) and its expanding role in managing a wide spectrum of spinal disorders. ESS techniques can effectively address key conditions such as lumbar disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and cervical disc and degenerative pathology.
Participants will explore the latest technological advances and refined surgical innovations shaping the leading edge of ESS. The program will also directly address technical challenges and the learning curve inherent to endoscopic spine surgery, offering practical strategies and expert tips to accelerate skill acquisition and avoid common pitfalls.
Surgeons looking to adopt ESS or further expand their practice will leave with essential take-home knowledge and hands-on training using high-fidelity RealSpine simulators—supporting confident, safe implementation in everyday clinical care. Join us to strengthen your surgical repertoire and advance patient outcomes through the integration of ESS.
Program:
| 8:00-8:05 | Welcome and Introduction |
| 8:05-8:15 | How to start Uniportal surgery: patient selection, Equipment and surgical setup in Uniportal endoscopic spine surgery |
| 8:15-8:25 | How to start Biportal surgery: patient selection, Equipment and surgical setup in Biportal endoscopic spine surgery |
| 8:25-8:35 | Anatomical Considerations for Interlaminar Access |
| 8:35-8:45 | Anatomical Considerations for Transforaminal and Intertransverse Access |
| 8:45-8:55 | Discussion / Questions |
| 9:05-9:15 | 10-Step Transforaminal Endoscopic surgery in the lumbar spine |
| 9:15-9:25 | 10-Step Interlaminar Endoscopic spine surgery in the lumbar spine |
| 9:25-9:35 | Uniportal Endoscopic Approach for Foraminal and Extraforaminal herniation |
| 9:35-9:45 | Biportal Endoscopic Approach for Foraminal and Extraforaminal herniation |
| 9:45-9:55 | Complication Avoidance and Management of Uniportal Endoscopic Surgery |
| 9:55-10:05 | Discussion / Questions |
| 10:05-12:00 | Hands-on workshop |
Date: Wednesday, May 27
Time: 13:00 – 17:00
Room 5
Chairs:
Luke Kim
Enrico Giodan
Description:
Endoscopic spine surgery has evolved dramatically, expanding its indications from lumbar disc herniation to comprehensive spinal pathologies across all vertebral levels. This advanced course will explore the frontier of endoscopic techniques, with a particular focus on the extension of established lumbar approaches to the cervical spine.
The workshop will cover the latest developments in both uniportal and biportal endoscopic approaches, with a specific focus on advanced lumbar fusion techniques (ULIF/BLIF) and will demonstrate how these principles can be successfully adapted for cervical pathologies. Expert faculty will present case-based discussions highlighting technical considerations, anatomical nuances, and clinical decision-making specific to both advanced lumbar and cervical endoscopy.
Participants will benefit from extensive hands-on training on high-fidelity RealSpine simulators, practicing both lumbar and cervical techniques under expert guidance.
Program:
| 13:00-13:05 | Welcome and Introduction |
| 13:05-13:15 | Uniportal Endoscopic Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Principles and Pitfalls |
| 13:15-13:25 | Biportal Endoscopic Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Indications and Techniques |
| 13:25-13:35 | Cervical Endoscopic Foraminotomy/Discectomy: Uniportal Endoscopy |
| 13:35-13:45 | Cervical Endoscopic Foraminotomy/Discectomy: Biportal Endoscopy |
| 13:45-14:00 | Q & A |
| 14:00-14:10 | Transforaminal Thoracic Endoscopic Approach: Uniportal Endoscopy |
| 14:10-14:20 | Complications and Their Management: Lessons Learned |
| 14:20-14:30 | Navigation and Technology in Endoscopy |
| 14:30-14:40 | Panel Discussion / Final Q&A |
| 14:40-17:00 | Hands-on Workshop |
This course has been accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) for a maximum of 3.5 European CME credits (ECMEC®s).*
Date: Wednesday, May 27
Time: 08:00-12:00
Room 1
Chairs:
Gene Tekmyster
Karsten Wiechert
Program:
| 08:00:00 | 08:15:00 | Welcome and Introduction |
| 08:15:00 | 08:45:00 | Indications; Fluoroscopy Principles; Safety Considerations |
| 08:45:00 | 09:00:00 | Cervicogenic Headache: A cervical spine source of symptoms, differential diagnoses, and consideration of non-spine procedures |
| 09:00:00 | 09:30:00 | Epidural Injections and Diagnostic Spinal Nerve Blocks. Review of German Spine Society National Clinical Guidelines on epidural injections |
| 09:30:00 | 10:00:00 | Facet Joint Injections and Medial Branch Blocks. Radiofrequency Ablation for the use of axial and peripheral joint pain. Endoscopic medial branch ligation. |
| 10:00:00 | 10:15:00 | Break |
| 10:15:00 | 10:30:00 | The diagnosis and treatment of Sacroiliac Joint pain |
| 10:30:00 | 11:00:00 | Introduction to Basivertebral nerve ablation and ReActiv8 Implantable Restorative Neurostimulation System for the treatment of axial low back pain |
| 11:00:00 | 11:30:00 | Use of neuromodulation for the treatment of Post-laminectomy syndrome and non-operative spine pain |
| 11:30:00 | 12:00:00 | Panel Discussion and Q&A |
This course has been accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) for a maximum of 3.5 European CME credits (ECMEC®s).*
Date: Wednesday, May 27
Time: 08:00-12:00
Room 2
Chairs:
Michael Fehlings
Marcin Czyz
Program:
| 08:00 | 08:10 | Introduction |
| 08:10 | 08:10 | Session 1: Basic principles and applications for spine trauma, spinal cord injury and degenerative cervical myelopathy: |
| 08:10 | 08:25 | Ultrasound for Spine Surgery – Introduction to the technology and how it works. |
| 08:25 | 08:40 | Clinical applications of ultrasound in spine surgery including degenerative cervical myelopathy |
| 08:40 | 08:50 | Discussion |
| 08:50 | 09:05 | Ultrasound for assessing surgical decompression in acute SCI |
| 09:05 | 09:20 | Advanced ultrasound imaging and biomarkers of acute spinal cord injury |
| 09:20 | 09:30 | Discussion |
| 09:30 | 10:15 | Practical session 1: Basics of Spinal Ultrasound Technology |
| 10:15 | 10:30 | Break |
| 10:30 | 10:30 | Oral lecture Session 2: Application of US in spine oncology: |
| 10:30 | 10:45 | Technical application of ius in tumour resection |
| 10:45 | 11:00 | Talk: Separation surgery in spinal oncology |
| 11:00 | 11:10 | Discussion |
| 11:10 | 11:55 | Practical session 2: Advanced Applications to Oncology |
| 11:55 | 12:00 | Concluding remarks |
This course has been accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) for a maximum of 3.5 European CME credits (ECMEC®s).*
Date: Wednesday, May 27
Time: 08:00-12:00
Room 3
Chairs:
Marcos Vaz de Lima
Program:
| 08:00 | 08:10 | Opening & Welcome |
| 08:10 | 08:25 | Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery: Technical Tips, Pitfalls and Decision-Making |
| 08:25 | 08:40 | Thoracic Decompression in Endoscopic Spine Surgery: Main Surgical Approaches and Clinical Benefits |
| 08:40 | 08:55 | Neurophysiological Monitoring in Endoscopic Spine Surgery: What Safety Does It Really Add? |
| 08:55 | 09:10 | Advances in Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality in Endoscopic Spine Surgery |
| 09:10 | 09:30 | Discussion & Q&A – Session 1 |
| 09:30 | 09:45 | Break |
| 09:45 | 10:00 | Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery: Expanding Indications and Current Limits |
| 10:00 | 10:20 | Biportal vs. Uniportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery: Which Side of the Debate Are We On? |
| 10:20 | 10:35 | Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression with Interbody Fusion: Where Do We Stand Today? |
| 10:35 | 10:50 | Contralateral versus Ipsilateral Foraminal Decompression at L5–S1: Indications and Technical Considerations |
| 10:50 | 11:05 | Complications in Endoscopic Spine Surgery: Mechanisms, Prevention and Management |
| 11:05 | 11:15 | Break |
| 11:15 | 11:30 | Future Developments and Perspectives in Endoscopic Spine Surgery |
| 11:30 | 12:00 | Final Discussion, Panel & Take-Home Messages |
This course has been accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) for a maximum of 3.5 European CME credits (ECMEC®s).*
Date: Wednesday, May 27
Time: 08:00-12:00
Room 3
Chairs:
Amir Sharif
Hamid Abbasi
Program:
| 08:00 | 08:10 | Welcome & Course Overview |
| 08:10 | 08:40 | Anatomy of Trans-Kambin Triangle & Comparison to Other Approaches |
| 08:40 | 09:10 | Indications, Contra-indications & Patient Selection |
| 08:40 | 09:10 | Indications, Contra-indications & Patient Selection |
| 09:10 | 09:40 | Step-by-Step OLLIF Surgical Technique (Video-Based) |
| 09:40 | 10:05 | Instrumentation Concepts for OLLIF (Didactic Only) |
| 10:05 | 10:20 | Break |
| 10:20 | 10:50 | Complication Avoidance & Management in OLLIF |
| 10:20 | 10:50 | Complication Avoidance & Management in OLLIF |
| 10:50 | 11:35 | Case-Based Session: Real Clinical Practice |
| 11:35 | 12:00 | Advanced Considerations: Multilevel, Obesity, Complex Anatomy |
| 12:00 | 12:00 | Closing Remarks & Final Q&A |
This course has been accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) for a maximum of 3.5 European CME credits (ECMEC®s).*
Date: Wednesday, May 27
Time: 13:00-17:00
Room 1
Chairs:
Hakan Sabuncuoğlu
Altay Sencer
Hikmet Uluğ
Program:
| 13:00 | 13:05 | Welcome |
| 13:00 | 14:50 | Session I – Fundamentals and Surgical Principles |
| 13:05 | 13:20 | From concept to practice: The philosophical paradigm of full endoscopic spine surgery |
| 13:20 | 13:35 | Applied anatomy for transforaminal lumbar full endoscopic spine surgery |
| 13:35 | 13:50 | Basic full endoscopic approaches: Lumbar transforaminal route |
| 13:50 | 14:05 | Applied anatomy for interlaminar lumbar full endoscopic spine surgery |
| 14:05 | 14:20 | Basic full endoscopic approaches: Lumbar interlaminar route |
| 14:20 | 14:35 | Principles of instrumentation and energy use in full endoscopic spine surgery |
| 14:35 | 14:50 | Hemostasis and epidural pressure control in full endoscopic spine surgery |
| 14:50 | 15:05 | Break |
| 15:05 | 17:00 | Session II – Basic Approaches, Complications and Case Presentations |
| 15:05 | 15:20 | Full endoscopic cervical discectomy and decompression |
| 15:20 | 15:35 | Full endoscopic lumbar discectomy with tips and tricks |
| 15:35 | 15:50 | Full endoscopic surgery for lumbar stenosis: Over the top technique |
| 15:50:00 | 16:05:00 | Lumbar extreme far lateral full endoscopic discectomy |
| 16:05:00 | 16:20:00 | Complication management in full endoscopic lumbar spine surgery |
| 16:20:00 | 16:35:00 | Learning curve and training pathways |
| 16:35:00 | 17:00:00 | Challenging and controversial cases in full endoscopic spine surgery |
This course has been accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) for a maximum of 3.5 European CME credits (ECMEC®s).*
Date: Wednesday, May 27
Time: 13:00-17:00
Room 3
Chairs:
Roger Härtl
Christoph Hofstetter
Program:
| 13:00 | 13:15 | Tubular Microsurgery: The Evolution of Efficiency |
| 13:15 | 13:20 | Q&A |
| 13:20 | 13:35 | Flooding the Field: The History of Endoscopy |
| 13:35 | 13:40 | Q&A |
| 13:40 | 13:55 | Tube Size, Operative Field, Number of Access Corridors: The Equation that Shapes MIS Spine |
| 13:55 | 14:00 | Q&A |
| 14:00 | 14:15 | Infrastructure and Cost Considerations of Micro vs Endoscopic Spine Surgery |
| 14:15 | 14:20 | Q&A |
| Debates: Pros and Cons of Tubes and Endoscopes | ||
| 14:20 | 14:30 | Lumbar Pathologies: Tubular vs. Endoscopic: Tubes are better! |
| 14:30 | 14:40 | Lumbar Pathologies: Tubular vs. Endoscopic: Endoscopes are better! |
| 14:40 | 14:50 | Polls and audience questions |
| 14:50 | 15:00 | Cervical Pathologies: Tubular vs. Endoscopic: Tubes are better! |
| 15:00 | 15:10 | Cervical Pathologies: Tubular vs. Endoscopic: Endoscopes are better! |
| 15:10 | 15:20 | Polls and audience questions |
| 15:20 | 15:30 | Break |
| 15:30 | 15:40 | Thoracic Pathologies: Tubular vs. Endoscopic: Tubes are better! |
| 15:40 | 15:50 | Thoracic Pathologies: Tubular vs. Endoscopic: Endoscopes are better! |
| 15:50 | 16:00 | Polls and audience questions |
| 16:00 | 16:15 | Management of Complications with Tubes and Endoscopes |
| 16:15 | 16:20 | Q&A |
| 16:20 | 16:35 | From Niche to Mainstream: Embedding Endoscopy in Academic Spine Surgery |
| 16:35 | 16:40 | Q&A |
| 16:40 | 16:55 | Future Directions & Enabling Technologies |
| 16:55 | 17:00 | Q&A |
This course has been accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) for a maximum of 3.5 European CME credits (ECMEC®s).*
Date: Wednesday, May 27
Time: 13:00-17:00
Room 4
Chairs:
Jana Felicitas Schader
Victor Martin-Gorgojo
Program:
| 13:00 | 13:10 | Welcome & AO SYC: Who we are and where we’re headed |
| 13:10 | 13:40 | Building the pipeline: engaging medical students early: Panel Discussion + Audience Q&A
|
| 13:40 | 14:10 | Life after residency: what comes next?: Panel Discussion + Audience Q&A
|
| 14:10 | 14:40 | Collaborating with industry–a modern perspective: Moderated panel discussion
|
| 14:40 | 15:10 | Spine Espresso Sessions – Real talks with AO Faculty
|
| 15:10:00 | 15:55 | Roundtable 1–Challenges faced by young spine surgeons: Small group discussions
|
| 15:55 | 16:05 | Break |
| 16:05 | 16:50 | Roundtable 2–Surgeon, leader, … human: Small group discussions
|
| 16:50 | 17:00 | Final reflections & closing remarks
|
Each medical specialist should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.
Through an agreement between the European Union of Medical Specialists and the American Medical Association, physicians may convert EACCME® credits to an equivalent number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Information on the process to convert EACCME® credits to AMA credits can be found at https://edhub.ama-assn.org/pages/applications.
Live educational activities occurring outside of Canada, recognised by the UEMS-EACCME® for ECMEC® credits are deemed to be Accredited Group Learning Activities (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Information regarding the conversion of EACCME® credits
Credit will be converted based on one (1) hour of participation equalling one credit for all activities. Physicians wishing to convert EACCME® credits to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ will be required to access the AMA website at https://edhub.ama-assn.org/pages/applications to obtain the necessary paperwork and instructions. Physicians and other health care professionals will be required to pay a processing fee to the AMA.
For other countries, please contact the relevant national/regional accreditation authority.