Dear Colleagues,

It is our great pleasure to invite you to participate in the Pre-congress Training Course in Endoscopic Neurosurgery, from May 30 to 31, 2009 in Athens, Greece.

With the development in optical systems and illuminations, the endoscopy has paved the way in providing an alternative option to the classical neurosurgical approaches with good cosmetics and improved outcome.

Furthermore, the invention of Image Guided Neuronavigational systems in the operating room as a guiding tool has replaced the use of intraoperative fluoroscopy with high precision and eliminate the radiation exposure to the operating team.

Specially, the endoscopic techniques in the treatment of skull base intracranial lesions is considered to be a technically challenging procedure due to it’s vulnerable structures, and difficult access especially to the beginners, thus  requiring appropriate training. It is also associated with steep learning curve.

Practical training in laboratory using endosopic equipments on anatomical  models or cadavers has been proven to be an effective measure in providing the best preliminary exposure especially to the trainees and young neurosurgeons with enthusiasm on endoscopic approaches in understanding and acquiring appropriate skills prior to actual surgery in the operating room, and therefore, maintaining patient’s safety.

Through this course, we will offer you a series of lectures, practical demonstrations on endoscopic instruments, hands-on cadaveric workshop and involving various procedures with special highlights on transcranial and, transsphenoidal endoscopy.

We are very fortunate to have the assistance and participation of our expert colleagues from different institutions to share their valuable experience during this course. We hope you will enjoy and benefit from this event in Athens.

We hope you will enjoy and benefit from this course and look forward to meeting you in the beautiful city of Athens.

Spyros Sgouros
Congress Chairman
University of Athens, Greece