Summer School of Spinal Surgery: Practical Training for Physicians
In surgery, it is not enough to simply know how an operation should be performed. It is far more important to see how decisions are made in a real operating room: which approach to choose, what to pay attention to at each stage of the procedure, and how to adjust the strategy when the clinical situation requires it.
That is why practical formats of professional education are particularly important for a surgeon’s development. A lecture can provide knowledge, but observing a real operation, having the opportunity to ask an expert questions, and discussing a clinical case help demonstrate how this knowledge is applied in practice.
This was the idea behind the “Summer Spinal Surgery Camp,” held on August 20–21 in Kropyvnytskyi at the Regional Clinical Traumatology Hospital. Led by neurosurgeon and Candidate of Medical Sciences Abdalla Ibrahim, the event brought together 18 physicians from different regions of Ukraine.
School of Spinal Surgery: Training Closely Aligned with Clinical Practice
A school of spinal surgery provides an opportunity to go beyond theoretical material and see the full process of managing a clinical case.
During the “Summer Camp,” participants observed demonstration surgeries, listened to expert commentary, and had the opportunity to discuss technical decisions directly during the procedures. This format draws attention to details that are difficult to convey through lectures alone: the sequence of actions, approach selection, technical nuances, and the moments when decisions need to be made directly in the operating room.
Modern Spinal Surgery Is Not Only About Technology, but Also About Strategy
Spinal surgery is constantly evolving, including through the adoption of endoscopic technologies and new surgical approaches for various conditions.
However, knowing the technology itself does not answer every question that arises in practice. Which approach is optimal in a particular situation? How should the procedure be planned? Which technical aspects require the greatest attention? These are precisely the questions that become especially valuable during practical training.
Experts with Diverse Clinical Experience
An important part of the “Summer Camp” was the participation of specialists representing different fields and bringing extensive clinical and academic experience.
Under the leadership of Abdalla Ibrahim, the educational program included:
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Andrii Harmash — neurosurgeon, highest qualification category, Candidate of Medical Sciences;
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Andrii Regush — Candidate of Medical Sciences, Honorary Chairman of the Association for the Evolution of Medicine, Head of the Department of Interventional Endovascular Surgery, neurosurgeon, highest qualification category;
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Mykola Shavha — Doctor of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor, orthopedic and trauma surgeon, highest qualification category, vertebrologist.
This combination of expertise allowed participants to discuss spinal surgery from different clinical perspectives.
Learning Spinal Surgery Through Real Clinical Cases
Learning spinal surgery does not end when a demonstration operation is completed. It is equally important to understand why a particular strategy was chosen in a specific case and what alternatives could have been considered.
That is why the practical part of the program was complemented by lectures and clinical case discussions. Participants discussed complex situations, asked experts questions, and compared the approaches presented with their own experience.
Demonstration Surgeries: Seeing the Technique in Practice
Demonstration surgeries were a central part of the program. During the procedures, the surgeons worked with systems for minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery. This gave participants an opportunity to see the use of the relevant instrumentation directly in clinical practice and in the context of specific surgical tasks.
The step-by-step discussion allowed participants to follow the logic of the procedure, from planning and approach selection to the sequence of technical steps and assessment of the situation during surgery.
When Colleagues’ Experience Becomes Part of Learning
Professional discussion is another important component of such meetings. Physicians can view the same clinical case from different practical perspectives, compare approaches, and discuss challenges they encounter in their own practice.
That is why training for spinal surgeons is not only about transferring experience from an expert to a participant, but also about professional dialogue among colleagues.
Practice That Cannot Be Replaced by Theory Alone
A surgeon’s professional development requires continuous learning, particularly in a field where technologies and surgical approaches continue to evolve.
That is why educational formats that allow physicians to observe, analyze, ask questions, and discuss clinical decisions are an important part of postgraduate education.
The “Summer Spinal Surgery Camp” in Kropyvnytskyi brought these opportunities together over two days, creating a space where experts’ practical experience became the basis for professional dialogue and further development.
In addition to practical experience and professional exchange, participants received Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. The event was organized by the Association for the Evolution of Medicine, with COR-Medical as a partner.
Information about upcoming educational events and professional meetings will be shared on COR-Medical’s social media — follow the announcements to stay informed about future opportunities to participate.