NASS 2024 Wednesday Preview: A Day of Insightful Symposia
The NASS 2024 Annual Meeting, taking place in the vibrant city of Chicago from September 25-28, is a premier gathering for spine professionals. This year’s meeting features a comprehensive agenda filled with educational sessions, groundbreaking research presentations, and interactive discussions. Wednesday’s symposia offer an exceptional lineup of sessions that promise to provide invaluable insights and practical knowledge. Here is a detailed narrative of the symposia scheduled for Wednesday.
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
The day begins early with two concurrent sessions. The first session, presented by the Section on Robotics, Enabling Technologies and MIS (REMi), is titled "The Symbiosis of Robotics, Enabling Technology and Minimally Invasive Surgery." This symposium delves into the seamless integration of robotics and navigation technologies with minimally invasive surgical techniques. Attendees will explore the advancements that have propelled these technologies to the forefront of spine surgery, offering a detailed understanding of how these innovations enhance surgical precision and patient outcomes. Concurrently, another session titled "Osteoporotic Spine Fractures: Prevention to Surgical Management" will provide a comprehensive, case-based discussion on managing osteoporotic spine fractures. This interactive symposium focuses on evidence-based approaches to evaluation and treatment, equipping participants with clinically relevant tools and strategies for effectively managing patients with these challenging conditions. The session emphasizes both preventive measures and surgical options, ensuring a holistic understanding of osteoporotic fracture management.
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
At 9:30 a.m., the focus shifts to two new sessions. The Section on Comprehensive Episodes of Spine Care presents "Nondeformity Thoracic Spine Pain Comprehensive Episode of Care." This session offers an interactive case-based approach to diagnosing and treating thoracic spine pain without deformity. Through engaging discussions, participants will gain insights into interdisciplinary evaluation and treatment strategies, aiming for more precise diagnoses and tailored patient care plans. The Section on Spinal Deformity hosts "Failure to Reach the Minimal Clinical Important Difference in Spinal Deformity Surgery: Lessons Learned." This symposium tackles the complexities of spinal deformity surgery outcomes, focusing on identifying risk factors, prevention strategies, and lessons learned from past cases to optimize future surgical results. Attendees will benefit from the shared experiences and insights into enhancing surgical outcomes for spinal deformity patients.
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
The afternoon sessions commence with a symposium presented by the Section on Multidisciplinary Surgical Approaches to the Spine, titled "Technical Aspects of Anterior Spine Surgery: Approach and Instrumentation." This session provides a deep dive into the technical intricacies of anterior spine surgery from both the spine surgeon and approach surgeon perspectives. Discussions will cover key techniques and instrumentation, offering a detailed understanding of the surgical approach and its applications.
3:35 – 5:00 p.m.
Later in the afternoon, three symposia run concurrently. The Section on Radiology presents "Artificial Intelligence in Spine Surgery: Robotics, Augmented Reality, Navigation, Predictive Analytics, and Other AI-based Concepts." This session explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in spine surgery, including robotics, augmented reality, navigation, and predictive analytics. Attendees will gain insights into how AI is revolutionizing surgical safety, efficiency, and outcomes. Another concurrent session, "Cervical Spine: The Right Approach for the Right Patient,"focuses on selecting the optimal surgical approach for cervical spine disorders. Through dynamic case-based discussions, expert speakers will outline the decision-making process, rationales, contraindications, and ideal patient profiles for various surgical approaches. This session aims to enhance participants’ ability to navigate complex surgical decisions effectively. The final afternoon symposium, presented by the Section on Sacroiliac and Pelvic Girdle Pain, is titled "Navigating Gender Differences in Sacroiliac Joint and Pelvic Girdle Pain." This session addresses gender-specific differences in the diagnosis and treatment of degenerative and traumatic dysfunctions of the lumbo-sacroiliac and pelvic complex. Participants will gain a comprehensive overview of these differences, enhancing their understanding of how to manage these conditions effectively.
The Wednesday symposia at the 2024 NASS Annual Meeting offer a diverse and enriching educational experience. From the integration of advanced technologies in minimally invasive surgery to the nuanced management of osteoporotic fractures and the exploration of AI in spine surgery, these sessions provide a wealth of knowledge for spine care professionals. Attendees are encouraged to participate actively in these sessions, which promise to enhance clinical practice and keep them at the forefront of spine care innovation.
Visit the Annual Meeting website to learn about all of the symposia as well as other sessions and networking opportunities coming to Chicago at NASS 2024!