Hands-on Surgical Techniques Course

July 17 – 19, 2025

Indiana Spine Group, Medical Academic Center
Carmel, Indiana

The CSRS Hands-on Surgical Techniques Course promotes the society's mission of promoting the exchange of ideas by providing a forum for surgeons in training to hone their skills in the laboratory, engage in lively case discussions, and network with peers and world-renowned faculty. The primary audience of this course are senior level orthopedic (PGY4 and up) and neurosurgery (PGY5 and up) residents and fellows.
 

2025 Meeting Chairs: Rick Sasso, MD & Vince Traynelis, MD

 

Learning Objectives

The course will cover the latest advances and techniques of the cervical spine including:

  • Understand the intricate anatomy of the uncinate process, nerve roots, the vertebral artery, foramen and identify their relationship to each other.
  • Discuss surgical indications and complication management for cervical spine procedures.
  • Review and perform the following cervical spine procedures on cadaveric tissue:
    • Laminotomy, foraminotomy, laminoplasty, laminectomy, and facetectomy from both anterior and posterior surgical approach
    • Fusion techniques including: occipital-cervical constructs, C1-2 fixation, subaxial screw and rod constructs
    • Anterior decompression techniques including: disectomy, foraminotomy, corpectomy
    • Anterior fusion techniques including: interbody and corpectomy grafting, as well as subaxial plate, odontoid fixation and cages
    • Transoral approach to dens resection

 

Applicants

The top candidates will be invited to attend the 2025 Hands-on Surgical Techniques Course based upon an application process. The CSRS Education committee will review and select the final candidates.

Applicants must be US based and be either from a ACGME or CAST accredited program or be in training with a CSRS Active member.

CSRS will select 32 US-based, senior-level residents and fellows to attend this course by providing funding for course registration, hotel and airfare. 

 

Application Timeline

Applications open: March 1 - 31, 2025
Application Review: April
Acceptance & Rejection Notices: Late April/ Early May 
Emerging Leaders Course: July 17 - 19, 2025

 

Application Details:

Applicants will be required to provide a CV in PDF format, a 500 word or less essay on why the applicant is interested in attending the course, and a 250 word or less essay on what the applicant hopes to gain from the course.

 

Program & Faculty

Coming soon!

 

 Course Highlights