Surgery International was thrilled to participate in this year’s Global Spine Congress (GSC), one of the world's most significant spine meetings, held from 15-18 May in Bangkok.
The prestigious event is celebrated for its distinctive approach to sharing knowledge and developing new strategies for treating spinal disorders, significantly advancing spine care and enhancing patient outcomes.
Delegate Juan Pablo Cabrera is a passionate neurosurgeon and spine surgeon from Chile. He has been actively involved with AO Spine since his residency and appreciates the strong, hardworking community and its vast knowledge bank.
He was thrilled to attend the AO Spine Congress and welcomed the close, face-to-face interactions with leading experts and the dissemination of cutting-edge knowledge.
Working in a government hospital in one of Chile's major cities, Cabrera is a member of the AO Spine Knowledge Forum Degenerative, engaged in groundbreaking and innovative projects to understand and treat degenerative spinal disorders. He engages in high-level research, sharing insights and experiences with colleagues globally and was keen to emphasise the importance of this knowledge exchange in improving surgical skills and advancing the field of spine surgery.
He said: ‘I have been involved in the AO spine since my residence programme, and I have found a real community and a network that is strong, hardworking and knowledgeable.’
As part of the Knowledge Forum, his focus is sharing knowledge and research findings with colleagues from different countries. This collaborative effort aims to foster involvement with international peers, allowing participants to hear diverse experiences from across the globe. The ultimate goal is to enhance the global knowledge of spine surgery through this exchange.
He explained: ‘There are some hot topics in spine surgery, like endoscopic surgery, complex cervical spine surgery, adult deformity, and we are refreshing some concepts in spine surgery. Minimally invasive surgery has been growing for many years, but now it is established in the spine community. With new implants, techniques, and technology, surgery is getting safer and safer every year.
‘By attending this Congress, you can take advantage of colleagues’ experience and learn from others. So, when you get involved, you improve your level of surgery and knowledge, and you can teach others and be taught. The most exciting part of this specific Congress is that there are masters here.
He added: ‘You can keep in touch, be strongly involved and share with them very closely, face to face, and then take away the best and most up-to-date knowledge that is happening right now.’
Having trained at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Cabrera is confident that next year’s event, taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will be exceptional and feature diverse and up-to-date spine surgery topics, including craniovertebral junction and complex cervical spine surgery, endoscopic surgery, minimally invasive techniques for the lumbar spine, deformities, and analysis of the contemporary technologies in spine surgery.
He said this would help attendees stay updated with the latest advancements in the field.
‘Rio is an amazing city. I did a fellowship in the National Institute of Traumatology on Orthopaedics (INTO) with Dr. Luis Eduardo Carelli and colleagues, and I guarantee the level of the next congress will be amazing, up-to-date and very different, in addition to a friendly social program.’
AO Spine’s annual meeting, the Global Spine Congress (GSC), is the leading world-class spine congress that gathers thousands of spine surgeons worldwide.
In 2025 (28-31 May), the GSC will welcome spine care professionals from around the globe to convene in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The congress presents ‘an exceptional opportunity for participants to enhance their expertise by attending a highly regarded scientific programme presented by distinguished speakers, learning about the latest innovations and technologies from industry partners, and experiencing the unique culture of Rio de Janeiro’.
As one of the largest gatherings of spine surgeons globally, the GSC offers an outstanding forum for exchanging ideas, networking with fellow spine professionals, and staying abreast of the latest research and advancements in spine surgery.
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