#KazakhSpine26

About

On behalf of the International Spine Society, WFNS Spine Committee and the host The Kazakh Association of Neurosurgeons, it is our distinct honor to invite you to the inaugural Kazakh Spine Days 2026, held in the heart of Central Asia—Astana, Kazakhstan.
As the field of spinal surgery evolves with unprecedented speed, staying at the forefront of innovation is no longer optional—it is a commitment to our patients. Kazakh Spine Days 2026 has been designed as a high-level scientific forum where the world’s leading surgeons, researchers, and innovators gather to bridge the gap between global expertise and regional excellence.
Scientific Highlights & Program Focus
Our two-day intensive program is curated to address the most complex challenges in modern spine care. Attendees can expect a rigorous schedule of keynote lectures, case-based debates, and interactive symposia focusing on:
-
Minimally Invasive Breakthroughs: Transitioning from traditional open surgery to ultra-minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques.
-
Complex Deformity Correction: Navigating the complexities of adult and pediatric scoliosis and sagittal balance.
-
Up-to-date Developments: The integration of latest technological advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal pathologies.
-
Degenerative Pathologies: Modern approaches to lumbar and cervical disc disease and spinal stenosis.
-
Trauma & Oncology: Managing acute spinal cord injuries and the latest in metastatic spinal tumor resection.
Featured Speakers
Experience Spine Congress
Engage with Leading Experts. Explore Innovations. Learn Best Practices.
50+
Over 50 Keynote Speakers
20+
20+ Case Presentations
4+
4+ Hours of
Hands-On Workshop
30+
Over 30 Internationally Renown Spine Surgeons
Invitation
The International Spine Society (ISS) in collaboration with The Kazakh Association of Neurosurgeons and World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) Spine Committee is honored to invite you to a premier two-day surgical symposium and basic spine course focused on the evolution of spinal care.
Under the expert leadership of Chairpersons Talgat Kerimbayev and Yahya Güvenc, this intensive program is designed to bridge the gap between clinical theory and technical mastery. The curriculum spans the most critical aspects of modern spinal surgery, ranging from degenerative conditions and trauma to complex deformity and oncology.
Program
This comprehensive meeting is structured around six core pillars of spine surgery:
-
Lumbar & Cervical Degenerative Disease: Advanced sessions on endoscopic surgery, decompression techniques, and the debate between ACDF and Arthroplasty.
-
Complex Spine Trauma: Focused modules on cervical, thoracic, and lumbar fractures, including specialized management of spinal cord injuries.
-
Deformity & Reconstruction: In-depth analysis of adolescent and adult scoliosis, osteotomy techniques, and the prevention of complications.
-
Spinal Oncology: Multidisciplinary strategies for primary and metastatic tumors, including intradural surgery.
-
Instrumentation & Biomechanics: Technical reviews of screw fixation (thoracic, sacral, and iliac) and interbody fusion (TLIF, ALIF, OLIF).
-
Practical Mastery: Daily Hands-on Workshops on anatomical models to refine surgical precision.
Committees & Faculty
..
General Information
Visa Requirements
Kazakhstan offers a simplified entry regime for many international visitors. Please review the following guidelines for your travel planning:
-
Visa-Free Entry: Citizens of over 80 countries (including the UK, USA, Canada, EU nations, and Türkiye) can enter Kazakhstan visa-free for business or tourism for up to 30 days.
-
E-Visa Option: For participants from countries not included in the visa-free list, a single-entry Tourist E-Visa (B12) can be obtained via a Letter of Invitation (LOI).
-
Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the expiry date of your intended stay/visa and must have at least two blank pages.
-
Official Visa Portal: For the most up-to-date requirements and to apply for an E-Visa, please visit the official Visa-Migration Portal of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
If it is needed, a formal invitation letter will be gladly e-mailed for the participants who had completed their registration process. For further details, you can gladly contact us.
Meeting Language
The official language of the meeting will be English.
Usage of Electronics in the Meeting Room
All cellphones should be silenced during sessions. Sound and video recording of the lectures are allowed only for personal use. During that recording, the device should be silenced (no click or beep sounds) not to disturb audience.
Dresscode
Casual /Both for meeting & dinner(s)
Weather
During the month of May, Astana offers some of the most pleasant weather of the year, though it is famously changeable.
-
Mild Temperatures: Daytime highs typically hover around 19°C to 21°C. It feels warm and summer-like under the sun, which is perfect for sightseeing near the Bayterek Tower or along the Ishim River.
-
Chilly Evenings: As a steppe city, temperatures drop quickly after sunset to around 7°C to 9°C. You will definitely need a medium-weight jacket or coat for evening dinners.
-
The "Astana Wind": The city is known for its constant breeze. While usually refreshing in May, it can make the "real feel" temperature cooler than the forecast suggests.
Electricity
Kazakhstan uses Type C and Type F outlets:
-
Type C: The standard "Euro" plug with two round pins.
-
Type F: Also known as a "Schuko" plug, which has two round pins and two earth clips on the side.
-
Note: Type C plugs fit perfectly into Type F sockets.
-
Standard Voltage: 220V
-
Frequency: 50Hz
Certificate of Attendance
A certificate of attendance will be presented to all registered participants as electronic.
Letter of Invitation
Upon request, the organization committee will be pleased to send a personal invitation to all participants, to facilitate visa and other formalities. This letter should not be considered as an offer of financial support from the organizers.
Currency
The official currency of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT), symbolized by ₸.
For the most accurate and up-to-date exchange rates against major world currencies (USD, EUR, TRY, etc.), please visit the official website of the National Bank of Kazakhstan:
-
Currency Exchange: You can exchange major currencies (USD, EUR, RUB) at the airport, local banks, or authorized exchange offices (obmennik) found throughout the city.
-
Card Payments: Credit and debit cards (Visa/Mastercard) are widely accepted in Astana's hotels, restaurants, and larger shops. However, it is recommended to carry some local cash for smaller vendors or traditional markets.
-
ATMs: ATMs are common and easily accessible in the city center and near the conference venue.
Venue Location & Airport Access
Exhibition
Scientific Program
May 16th SATURDAY
Time | Topic | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
08:30 - 08:45 | Opening Talks | Talgat Kerimbayev, Yahya Güvenç |
Moderators | ||
Panel 1 - Lumbar Degenerative Diseases | ||
08:45 - 09:00 | Diagnosis of the sources of back pain | |
09:00 - 09:10 | Value of injections in back pain | |
09:10 - 09:20 | Diagnosis and treatment options for disc herniation | |
09:20 - 09:30 | Endoscopic lumbar disc surgery: Interlaminar and transforaminal | |
09:30 - 09:40 | Management recurrent lumbar disc herniation | |
09:40 - 09:50 | Lumbar spinal stenosis: Clinic and radiology | |
09:50 - 10:00 | Decompression techniques for lumbar spinal stenosis | |
10:00 - 10:10 | Fusion indications for lumbar spinal stenosis | |
10:10 - 10:20 | Discussion | |
10:20 - 10:50 | Coffee Break | |
Panel 2 - Thoracic, lumbar and sacral screw fixation techniques | ||
10:50 - 11:00 | Definition of degenerative instability | |
11:00 - 11:10 | Instrumentation biomechanics | |
11:10 - 11:20 | Thoracic and lumbar screw fixation techniques | |
11:20 - 11:30 | Sacral and iliac screw fixation techniques | |
11:30 - 11:45 | Interbody fusion techniques (PLIF,TLIF, ALIF, OLIF) | |
11:45 - 12:00 | Discussion | |
Panel 3 - Case Discussion | ||
12:00 - 12:10 | Case: Back pain & injection | |
12:10 - 12:20 | Case: Far lateral disc herniation | |
12:20 - 12:30 | Case: Lumbar spinal stenosis | |
12:30 - 12:40 | Case: Lumbar listhesis and fusion | |
12:40 - 13:30 | --LUNCH-- | |
Moderators | ||
Panel 4 - Cervical Spine Trauma | ||
13:30 - 13:45 | Classification of spinal cord injury and lower cervical spine fractures | |
13:45 - 13:55 | Early management and intensive care for spinal cord injury | |
13:55 - 14:05 | Closed or open reduction for locked facets | |
14:05 - 14:15 | Anterior cervical plating technique | |
14:15 - 14:25 | Posterior cervical fixation techniques (lateral mass, pedicle screw) | |
14:25 - 14:40 | Classification of upper cervical spine fractures | |
14:40 - 14:50 | Anterior and posterior approaches to upper cervical spine. | |
14:50 - 15:00 | C1-C2 fixation and occiput-cervical fixation techniques. | |
15:00 - 15:10 | Management of odontoid fractures | |
15:10 - 15:40 | Coffee Break | |
Panel 5 - Surgery for Cervical Degenerative Diseases | ||
15:40 - 15:50 | Case Presentation: Cervical radiculopathy | |
15:50 - 16:00 | Cervical anterior vs posterior foraminotomy | |
16:00 - 16:10 | Cervical disc herniation: ACDF vs Arthroplasty | |
16:10 - 16:20 | Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: Classification and management | |
16:20 - 16:30 | Anterior surgical techniques for CSM | |
16:30 - 16:40 | Cervical laminoplasty vs cervical laminectomy & fusion for CSM | |
16:40 - 16:50 | Cervical OPLL: Management options | |
16:50 - 17:00 | Discussion | |
Panel 6 - Course 1 | ||
16:30 - 16:40 | Case: Odontoid fracture | |
16:40 - 16:50 | Case: Cervical locked facet | |
16:50 - 17:00 | Case: Atlas fracture | |
17:00 - 17:10 | Case: Hangman fracture | |
17:10 - 17:20 | Case: CSM posterior decompression | |
17:20 - 17:30 | Case: CSM anterior decompression | |
17:30 - 18:30 | Hands-on workshop on models | |
Faculty Dinner |
May 17th SUNDAY
Time | Topic | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
Moderators | ||
Panel 6 - Thoracolumbar Trauma | ||
08:30 - 08:40 | Classification of thoracolumbar fractures | |
08:40 - 08:50 | Management of thoracolumbar fractures | |
08:50 - 09:00 | Classification of osteoporotic fractures | |
09:00 - 09:10 | Management of osteoporotic fractures | |
09:10 - 09:20 | Vertebral augmentation for osteoporotic fractures | |
09:20 - 09:30 | Discussion | |
09:30 - 10:00 | Coffee Break | |
Panel 7 - Spinal Deformity | ||
10:00 - 10:15 | Principles of spinal deformity management | |
10:15 - 10:25 | Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Classification and management options | |
10:25 - 10:35 | Correction maneuvers for scoliosis | |
10:35 - 10:45 | Congenital scoliosis: Management options | |
10:45 - 10:55 | Spinal osteotomy techniques | |
10:55 - 11:05 | Prevention of osteotomy complications | |
11:05 - 11:20 | Adult degenerative scoliosis: Classification and management | |
11:20 - 11:40 | Prevention of adult degenerative scoliosis surgery complications | |
11:40 - 11:50 | Pseudoarthrosis: Prevention and management | |
11:50 - 12:00 | Adjacent level disease: Prevention and management | |
12:00 - 13:00 | --LUNCH-- | |
Panel 8 - Spine Tumors | ||
13:00 - 13:10 | Case: Metastatic spine tumor | |
13:10 - 13:20 | Current Surgical strategies for spinal metastasis | |
13:20 - 13:30 | Multidisciplinary management for spinal metastasis | |
13:30 - 13:40 | Primary spine tumors: Management options | |
13:40 - 13:50 | Intradural spinal tumor surgery | |
13:50 - 14:00 | Discussion | |
Panel 9 - TL Surgical Approaches | ||
14:00 - 14:10 | Surgical approaches to cervicothoracic junction | |
14:10 - 14:20 | Anterolateral approaches to thoracic spine | |
14:20 - 14:30 | Posterolateral approaches to thoracic spine | |
14:30 - 14:40 | Anterior and anterolateral approaches to lumbar spine | |
14:40 - 15:10 | Coffee Break | |
Panel 10 - Course 2 | ||
15:10 - 15:20 | Case: Metastatic spine tumor | |
15:20 - 15:30 | Case: Primary spine tumor | |
15:30 - 15:40 | Case: Cervicothoracic junction anterior approach | |
15:40 - 15:50 | Case: Thoracic /TL junction anterior approach | |
15:50 - 16:00 | Case: Sacrum tumor | |
16:00 - 17:00 | Hands-on workshop on models | |
Closing |
















