The Minimal Invasive Spinal Surgery Course: Endoscopic Lumbar Surgery was successfully held on April 5th, 2026, at the Istanbul Aydın University Medical Park VM Florya Hospital. The intensive one-day program provided 30+ trainees with a comprehensive blend of theoretical knowledge, live surgical observation, and hands-on simulation training.

The course was led by a distinguished organizational committee and faculty, including course directors Prof. Dr. Salim Şentürk, Prof. Dr. Numan Karaarslan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güçlühan Güçlü, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. İsmail Bozkurt. The event opened with a keynote from the President of the International Spine Society, Dr. Yahya Güvenç.

The academic sessions covered the breadth of endoscopic techniques, featuring prominent instructors and experts in the field:

  • Foundational Principles & Anatomy: Dr. Hakan Sabuncuoğlu detailed the core rules of endoscopic spinal surgery, while Dr. İsmail Bozkurt provided a deep dive into lumbar anatomy specifically tailored for endoscopic approaches.
  • Surgical Techniques: Detailed lectures on Interlaminar, Transforaminal, and Biportal techniques were delivered by Dr. İsmail İştemen, Dr. Hikmet Uluğ, and Dr. Ali Kaplan.
  • Advanced Applications: Dr. Altay Sencer discussed the role of endoscopy in stenosis surgery, and Dr. Ender Ofluoğlu led a critical debate comparing endoscopic discectomy to traditional microdiscectomy.
  • Complication Management: Dr. Güçlühan Güçlü shared vital insights into managing complications within endoscopic spinal practice.

Practical Training

A centerpiece of the course was the Live Surgery session, where Dr. Salim Şentürk and Dr. Güçlühan Güçlü demonstrated an Endoscopic Discectomy, allowing participants to witness real-time decision-making and technical execution.

The afternoon was dedicated to Hands-on Model Training (UpSurgeon), where trainees practiced techniques across two dedicated stations under the close supervision of faculty members, including Dr. İlyas Dolaş, Dr. Batuhan Kartal, and Dr. Melih Üçer. The day concluded with a series of complex case presentations by Dr. Hüseyin Öztürk, Dr. Ö. Celil Gökçek, and Dr. Mahmut Demirkol, fostering an environment of active peer-to-peer learning.

The event successfully bridged the gap between advanced spinal theory and practical surgical application, reinforcing the commitment of the International Spine Society to surgical education and innovation.