Ticketed Session

Special Course 1: Beyond Limits in Cervical Spine Surgery: Elevating Safety and Quality

Thursday, February 26, 2026

1:30 PM - 5:30 PM MST

Course Director(s)

Praveen Mummaneni, MD, MBA

Department of Neurological Surgery
University of California San Francisco
Andrew Chan, MD

Columbia University
Addisu Mesfin, MD

Georgetown University School of Medicine
michael mccarthy, MD

Indiana University School of Medicine

Moderator(s)

Praveen Mummaneni, MD, MBA

Department of Neurological Surgery
University of California San Francisco
Andrew Chan, MD

Columbia University
Addisu Mesfin, MD

Georgetown University School of Medicine
michael mccarthy, MD

Indiana University School of Medicine

In partnership with the Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS)

Exclusively Supported by: Carlsmed

This course will explore the latest strategies for treating degenerative cervical pathologies, including fusion and non-fusion operations for myeloradiculopathy. Key techniques, emerging technologies and complication management, debated by orthopedic and neurosurgeon experts, will be discussed. The focus will be on trailblazing approaches and innovations that enhance safety and minimize complications.

Separate registration is required.

Learning Objectives:

Advanced Knowledge: Identify of both fusion and non-fusion surgical options for degenerative cervical pathologies, grounded in the latest evidence.
Practical Skills: Techniques and approaches to improve clinical practice, focusing on quality, safety and advanced technologies.
Innovative Solutions: Insights into overcoming challenges in cervical spine surgery, enhancing patient safety and minimizing complications, informed by expert debate.

Presentations:

1:30 PM - 1:31 PM MST

Introduction
Speaker: Praveen V. Mummaneni, MD, MBA – Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco
1:30 PM - 2:59 PM MST

Session 1: Craniovertebral Junction - Surgical Nuances With Videos
1:32 PM - 1:39 PM MST

OC Fusion
Speaker: Vincent C. Traynelis, MD – Department of Neurosurgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago IL, USA
1:40 PM - 1:47 PM MST

C1-2 Fusion
Speaker: Neill M. Wright, MD – Neurosurgery of St Louis
1:48 PM - 1:55 PM MST

Odontoid Screw Fixation With Navigation
Speaker: Addisu Mesfin, MD – MedStar Orthopedic Institute/Washington Hospital Center
1:56 PM - 2:03 PM MST

C1-2 Facet Joint Distraction for Basilar Invagination
Speaker: Deb A. Bhowmick, MD – Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Hospital
2:04 PM - 2:15 PM MST

Discussion
2:16 PM - 2:23 PM MST

Navigation for Placement of Cervical Pedicle Screws
Speaker: Ilya Laufer, MD – NYU Langone Department of Neurosurgery
2:24 PM - 2:31 PM MST

Augmented Reality for Cervical Pedicle Screw Placement
Speaker: Philip K. Louie, MD – Virginia Mason Medical Center
2:32 PM - 2:39 PM MST

Robotics for Cervical Screw Placement
Speaker: Nicholas Theodore, MD, MS – University Medical Center Phoenix
2:40 PM - 2:47 PM MST

Endoscopy In Cervical Spine
Speaker: Jang W. Yoon, MD – University of California San Francisco
2:48 PM - 2:59 PM MST

Discussion
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM MST

Break
3:15 PM - 3:20 PM MST

Debates on Motion Preservation - 3 Level Disease: Arthroplasty
Speaker: Rory Murphy, MD, FAANS – Barrow Brain and Spine
3:15 PM - 4:16 PM MST

Session 2: Cervical Hot Topics - Debates on Motion Preservation
3:21 PM - 3:26 PM MST

Debates on Motion Preservation - 3 Level Disease: ACDF
Speaker: Alpesh A. Patel, MD MBA – Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
3:27 PM - 3:35 PM MST

Discussion
3:36 PM - 3:41 PM MST

Debates on Motion Preservation - OPLL Treatment: Laminoplasty
Speaker: Zoher Ghogawala, MD – Lahey Hospital and Medical Center
3:42 PM - 3:47 PM MST

Debates on Motion Preservation - OPLL Treatment: Lami and Fusion
Speaker: Steven Ludwig, MD – University of Maryland Medical Center
3:48 PM - 3:56 PM MST

Discussion
3:57 PM - 4:02 PM MST

Debates on Motion Preservation - Cervical Foraminotomy: Endoscopy
Speaker: Michael Y. Wang, MD, MBA – University of Miami
4:03 PM - 4:08 PM MST

Debates on Motion Preservation - Cervical Foraminotomy: Tubular
Speaker: John Knightly, MD, FAANS – Maxim Spine
4:09 PM - 4:25 PM MST

Discussion
4:26 PM - 4:31 PM MST

CT Junction Debates - Posterior Fusion LIV: C7
Speaker: Andrew K. Chan, MD – Columbia University Irving Medical Center
4:26 PM - 5:30 PM MST

Session 3: CT Junction Debates
4:32 PM - 4:37 PM MST

CT Junction Debates - Posterior Fusion LIV: T1/T2
Speaker: michael mccarthy, MD – Indiana Spine Group/IU School of Medicine
4:38 PM - 4:46 PM MST

Discussion
4:47 PM - 4:52 PM MST

CT Junction Debates - Cervical Degenerative Myelopathy: Long Segment Fusion C3-T1
Speaker: Michael P. Steinmetz, MD – Cleveland Clinic
4:53 PM - 4:58 PM MST

CT Junction Debates - Cervical Degenerative Myelopathy: Long Segment Fusion C2-T2
Speaker: Wilson Z. Ray, MD, MBA, FAANS – Washington University, St. Louis
4:59 PM - 5:07 PM MST

Discussion
5:08 PM - 5:13 PM MST

CT Junction Debates - ACDF at C7-T1 Below a Multilevel ACDF: Stand Alone
Speaker: Thomas Mroz, MD – Cleveland Clinic Center for Spine Health
5:14 PM - 5:19 PM MST

CT Junction Debates - ACDF at C7-T1 Below a Multilevel ACDF: Cage With Plate
Speaker: Christopher I. Shaffrey, MD, FACS, FAANS – Duke University Medical Center
5:20 PM - 5:28 PM MST

Discussion
5:29 PM - 5:30 PM MST

Wrap Up