AOSpine Newsletter
In this issue, we bring the most important news of the trimester that just passed and disclosure our main events and courses to the next trimester.
Global Spine Congress 2020
There is less than one month left to submit your abstract for the next Global Spine Congress (GSC 2020) taking place in the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro from May 20-23, 2020. The GSC will take place at the Windsor Convention and Expo Center, the largest convention center in Rio de Janeiro. The venue is in Barra da Tijuca, a vibrant and modern city, located only 45 minutes from the Rio de Janeiro International Airport. Don't miss this opportunity to submit your abstract for a chance to present your research to hundreds of international spine specialists. Abstracts can be presented in Spanish, Portuguese and English. Accepted abstracts will appear in a special supplement to the Global Spine Journal – a great opportunity for you to have your work viewed worldwide in an internationally renowned spine publication. The call to submit an abstract is open until September 16, 2019. For a full list of categories and topics and to submit your abstract, click here.
Fellowship Program 2020
Applications for the short-term fellowship program 2020 are open until August 31, 2019. This training is aimed at surgeons with more than one year of experience in spine surgery who want to improve a specific technique or further their knowledge. For this modality, you must be an AOSpine member for at least three years by the subscription deadline to apply.

• Length: 1, 2, 3 or 6 months.
• Enrollment: Online application from May to August at aospine.org.
Apply now for a fellowship in 2020! Read more »

The Associate Fellow Program is a different format and its rules and application period are different. Find out more about this program here.
Regional Courses 2019
Bringing together almost 200 spine surgeons interesting in deepening their knowledge, the fourth edition of the AOSpine Latin America regional courses was a success. Some of the world’s leading spine experts shared their knowledge and experience during the comprehensive and highly interactive event that took place June 6–8, 2019, in Santiago, Chile. Surgeons from 15 countries benefited from the innovative, interaction-enabling teaching methodology applied by renowned faculty. Read more »
Research Support
Conducting clinical studies can be a challenging and multifaceted task. AOSpine provides specific tools, courses, and e-learning material, including tips and pitfalls, to help members successfully carry out clinical studies. AOSpine Latin America is now offering, exclusively for members in the region, free peer reviews of projects ideas and papers. The peer reviews can help to filter out studies that are poorly conceived, designed or executed. The objective is to assess the quality of project ideas and manuscripts before they are completely executed or submitted for publication. Read more »
Scholarship Winner
Daniel Cunha (BR) is the winner of the 2019 Master’s Degree Program in Health Sciences Scholarship. The Master’s Degree Program in Health Sciences scholarship is offered by AOSpine Latin America in partnership with the University of Caxias do Sul, Brazil.
"I believe that the path to be a better surgeon often goes through the abundant amount of information and available knowledge. I am sure that this course will bring me the chance to learn from experienced professionals how to discern better between useful and useless information. In addition, I will be able to develop a research project with professor Asdrubal Falavigna support, who is internationally recognized for his valuable contributions. It will be two years with hard work, many trips, countless search hours, but in the end, it will bring long-lasting results and one (or more) publications in important journals such as the Global Spine Journal. I thank AOSpine for the opportunity, because without it I would not be able to do the master".
We recently celebrated the successful thesis presentation of Bruno Saciloto (BR) and Charles Carrazo (BR). They were the first scholarship holders of the Master’s Degree Program in Health Sciences, started in 2017. Congratulations both for all the work and dedication.
Live Tissue SP
The Advanced Level Live Tissue & Simulation Course—Spinal endoscopy and minimally invasive decompression took place in Sao Paulo (BR), August 2–3, 2019. The two-day, hands-on course offered participants a chance to practice exercises on live tissue as well as on simulators. On the live tissue environment, participants were able to perform different techniques such as lumbar interlaminar tubular discectomy, unilateral tubular decompression and "over the top" for lumbar spine, dural repair and bleeding control techniques. On the simulators, participants practice endoscopic translaminar discectomy. The course was highly rated by the 32 participants from four different countries.

The learning objectives included correctly indicate endoscopic technique for lumbar spine, identify and perform the surgical steps of interlaminar lumbar discectomy, and perform dural sac injury suture. The co-chairpersons were Alberto Gotfryd (BR) and Alexandre Sadao (BR) and the educational advisor, Marcelo Valacco (AR). The Faculty included Alejandro Morales Ciancio (AR), Nelson Astur (BR), Ivan da Rocha (BR), David Del Curto (BR), Felipe Feres (BR), Michel Kanas (BR), Guilherme Meyer (BR), Rafael Souza (BR), Rafael Sugino (BR).
Observership
The observership program is a unique opportunity for surgeons to experience the complexity of certain pathologies and techniques. Our new observership program will be launched in September.

A new program was developed to ensure that skills and knowledge acquired in AO Educational Events are applied in practice in the daily work of spine surgeons throughout our region. It is an outstanding way for our members in Latin America to advance their professional careers resulting in improving patients’ lives.

For a short period of time the participant will travel to visit a highly skilled spine surgeon focusing in one specific technique or pathology, such as MISS, Trauma, Deformity or Tumor. The goal of the observership is to facilitate knowledge transfer from the best experts in the world, who are at the forefront of understanding and treating those diseases and disorders, to observers, who can learn and develop specific skills.

The criteria, requirements, and application process will be disclosed soon. Stay tuned for more information.
CEP in Research
The first edition of the Continuing Education Program in Research was launched in early August and it is being a success. All vacancies were sold quickly, and we have participants from different countries. The content and the synchronous meetings are available in Portuguese, Spanish and English.

This program is accredited by UCS as a university extension course and it is conducted in 13 weeks divided into three modules:
  • The first module is taught by Nelson Astur (BR). Participants are learning how to search the databases effectively: applying the concept of evidence-based medicine in the search for scientific information and getting to know the functionalities of search portals.
  • The second module will be imparted by José Jiménez (MX). It addresses the interpretation of evidence. In the end of the module, the participant will be able to analyze and identify the variables that give value to the results and to the conclusions.
  • The third module, imparted by Asdrubal Falavigna (BR), will teach the manuscript writing. The participant will learn to recognize the parts of a medical text in its different stages of drafting, and to identify the elements for writing the materials, methods, and outcomes.
According to Nitin Kimmatkar (IN), course participant, he recommends the program for those interested in advance their career. "It is real fun doing this course and completely educate yourself for professional development. This e-learning program consists of synchronous meeting, downloadable content, as well as direct contact with the Faculty to discuss and solve doubts. After the module completion or in between there are evaluations or self-assessments. I will recommend to all interested AO member to be part of it".
Mario Condal (CL), course participant, mentioned that in his practice one challenge was to improve the patient's database in order to improve the decision making. "I found the program very interesting to reinforce my knowledge and acquire new skills. I am excited to be able to develop this line of work in parallel with my clinical practice. The program has been organized in a way that we receive weekly the information to study, and we are invited to discuss topics and doubts with the Faculty through synchronous meetings", said Mario.
Global Spine Journal
We would like to highlight and recognize the top downloaded and cited special issue articles from this year so far.

Top 5 downloaded articles:
  1. “A Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Acute Spinal Cord Injury: Introduction, Rationale, and Scope”
  2. “Surgical Site Infections in Spine Surgery: Preoperative Prevention Strategies to Minimize Risk”
  3. “Postoperative Spine Infection: Diagnosis and Management”
  4. “Treatment of Fractures of the Thoracolumbar Spine: Recommendations of the Spine Section of the German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma (DGOU)”
  5. “Spinal Tuberculosis: Current Concepts”
Top 5 cited articles:
  1. “Timing of Decompression in Patients With Acute Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review”
  2. “A Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Patients With Acute Spinal Cord Injury and Central Cord Syndrome: Recommendations on the Timing (≤24 Hours Versus >24 Hours) of Decompressive Surgery”
  3. “A Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Patients With Acute Spinal Cord Injury: Recommendations on the Use of Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate”
  4. “A Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Patients With Acute Spinal Cord Injury: Recommendations on the Role of Baseline Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Clinical Decision Making and Outcome Prediction”
  5. “Rare Complications of Cervical Spine Surgery: Horner’s Syndrome”
GSJ has many focus issues on particular topics for you to read. Access here ».
Educational Activities
27 Aug AOSpine Webinar—Spinal trauma in children {1 hour} Online
31 Aug AOSpine Hospital Based Seminar—Degenerative spine Asunción
07 Sep AOSpine Hospital Based Seminar San José
14 Sep AOSpine Webinar V {Case-based} Online
21 Sep AOSpine Hospital-Based Seminar—Trauma Bogotá
21 Sep AOSpine Hospital Based Seminar—Trauma Cartagena
27 Sep AOSpine Hospital Based Seminar—Degenerative spine Cuenca
27 Sep AOSpine Hospital Based Seminar—Trauma Tucumán
27-28 Sep
SOLD OUT
AOSpine Advanced Level Live Surgery & Simulation Course—
Tips of minimally invasive surgery techniques of the lumbar spine
Barranquilla
28 Sep AOSpine Hospital Based Seminar—Trauma Passo Fundo
03-05 Oct AOSpine Principles Course São Paulo
04-05 Oct AOSpine Masters Seminar—Deformities São Paulo
05 Oct AOSpine Hospital Based Seminar—Degenerative lumbar spine Santa Cruz
05 Oct AOSpine Hospital Based Seminar—Degenerative spine Lima
08 Oct AOSpine Webinar—Juvenile kyphosis {1 hour} Online
10 Oct AOSpine Advanced Seminar—MISS and degenerative spine. SEOT Cuenca
26 Oct AOSpine Hospital-Based Seminar—Degenerative spine Cali
26 Oct AOSpine Hospital-Based Seminar—Degenerative spine Bogotá
26 Oct AOSpine Hospital Based Seminar—Trauma São Paulo
26 Oct AOSpine Hospital-Based Seminar—Degenerative spine Florianópolis
31 Oct AOPEER Course Level 1: Principles of Clinical Research—Short Buenos Aires
01-02 Nov AOSpine Advanced Seminar—Degenerative lumbar scoliosis Buenos Aires
01 Nov AOSpine Webinar—Infections {4 hours} Online
02 Nov AOSpine Masters Seminar—Complications and complex surgery strategies Bogotá
15-16 Nov AOSpine Central America and Caribbean Advanced Seminar— Complications in spine surgery Panamá City
Global Spine Congress 2020
AOSpine Latin America
Av. Silva Jardim, 2042. Cj 1505
80250-200 . Curitiba, Brasil
T +55 41 3016 4491
[email protected]
www.aospine.org
/AOSpineLatinAmerica
@AOSpine_Latam
@AOSpine_LA