#KazakhSpine26
Kazakh Spine Days 2026:
Bridging Horizons in Astana
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.
The conference and course will be organized together, offering participants a comprehensive program that combines both theoretical knowledge and practical training.
We would be delighted to have you join us at this important event, where scientific exchange and international collaboration will be at the forefront.
We look forward to seeing you in Astana on May 16-17, 2026
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:
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Minimally Invasive Breakthroughs: Transitioning from traditional open surgery to ultra-minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques.
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Complex Deformity Correction: Navigating the complexities of adult and pediatric scoliosis and sagittal balance.
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Up-to-date Developments: The integration of latest technological advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal pathologies.
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Degenerative Pathologies: Modern approaches to lumbar and cervical disc disease and spinal stenosis.
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Trauma & Oncology: Managing acute spinal cord injuries and the latest in metastatic spinal tumor resection.
Prof. Talgat Kerimbayev
Conference Chairperson
KAN
Prof. Yahya Güvenç
Conference Chairperson
ISS
Prof. Akshulakov Serik
Honorary President Conference
KAN
Prof. Mehmet Zileli
Honorary President Conference WFNS Spine Committee
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:
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Lumbar & Cervical Degenerative Disease: Advanced sessions on endoscopic surgery, decompression techniques, and the debate between ACDF and Arthroplasty.
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Complex Spine Trauma: Focused modules on cervical, thoracic, and lumbar fractures, including specialized management of spinal cord injuries.
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Deformity & Reconstruction: In-depth analysis of adolescent and adult scoliosis, osteotomy techniques, and the prevention of complications.
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Spinal Oncology: Multidisciplinary strategies for primary and metastatic tumors, including intradural surgery.
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Instrumentation & Biomechanics: Technical reviews of screw fixation (thoracic, sacral, and iliac) and interbody fusion (TLIF, ALIF, OLIF).
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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:
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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Type C: The standard "Euro" plug with two round pins.
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Type F: Also known as a "Schuko" plug, which has two round pins and two earth clips on the side.
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Note: Type C plugs fit perfectly into Type F sockets.
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Standard Voltage: 220V
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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:
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Currency Exchange: You can exchange major currencies (USD, EUR, RUB) at the airport, local banks, or authorized exchange offices (obmennik) found throughout the city.
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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.
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ATMs: ATMs are common and easily accessible in the city center and near the conference venue.
Hotel Options
Hilton Garden Inn
Astana Kabanbai Batyr Avenue, 15, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/tseakgi-hilton-garden-inn-astana/
Comfort Hotel Astana
Kazakhstan, Astana, Chubary mkr., 60, Cosmonautov str.
https://comforthotel.kz/en
Venue Location
National Center for Neurosurgery
Ұлттық нейрохирургия орталығы
Turan Ave 34/1, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
Scientific Program
May 16th SATURDAY
Time | Topic | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
08:00 - 08:30 | Opening Talks | |
Minister of Health of Republic of Kazakhstan | Akmaral Alnazarova | |
President of the Kazakh Association of Neurosurgeons | Serik Akshulakov | |
World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Spine Committee | Mehmet Zileli | |
Chairperson WFNS Spine Committee | Nikolay Peev | |
President of the International Spine Society | Yahya Guvenc | |
Conference Chairperson | Talgat Kerimbayev | |
Panel 1 - Lumbar Degenerative Diseases | Akshulakov Serik, Mehmet Zileli | |
08:30 - 08:45 | Development of Spine Neurosurgery in Кazakhstan | Talgat Kerimbayev |
08:45 - 09:00 | Diagnosis of the sources of back pain | Mehmet Zileli |
09:00 - 09:15 | Diagnosis and treatment options for disc herniation | Salman Sharif |
09:15 - 09:30 | Value of injections in back pain | Murat Çobanoglu |
09:30 - 09:45 | Endoscopic lumbar disc surgery: | Viktor Aleinikov |
09:45 - 10:00 | Management recurrent lumbar disc herniation | Kemal Koç |
10:00 - 10:15 | Lumbar spinal stenosis: Clinic and radiology | Zhandos Tuigynov |
10:15 - 10:30 | Coffee Break | |
Panel 2 - Thoracic, lumbar and sacral screw fixation techniques | Talgat Kerimbayev, Yahya Güvenç | |
10:30 - 10:45 | Definition of degenerative instability | Shaxika Nazierhan |
10:45 - 11:00 | Fusion indications for lumbar spinal stenosis | Eun Sang Kim |
11:00 - 11:15 | Instrumentation biomechanics | Sait Naderi |
11:15 - 11:30 | Thoracic and lumbar screw fixation techniques | Nurzhan Abishev |
11:30 - 11:45 | Sacral and iliac screw fixation techniques | Ismail Bozkurt |
11:45 - 12:00 | Interbody fusion techniques (PLIF, TLIF, ALIF, OLIF) | Yergen Kenzhegulov |
Panel 3 - Case Discussion | Mehmet Zileli, Salim Sentürk | |
12:00 - 12:10 | Case: Lumbar Injection | Murat Çobanoglu |
12:10 - 12:20 | Case: Far lateral disc herniation | Azat Mustafayev |
12:20 - 12:30 | Case: Lumbar spinal stenosis | Daryn Borangliyev |
12:30 - 12:40 | Case: Lumbar listhesis and fusion | Galymzhan Kadirbekov |
12:40 - 13:10 | -- LUNCH -- | |
13:10 - 14:00 | Hands-on workshop on models. Screw fixation techniques | |
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Panel 4 - Cervical Spine Trauma | Salman Sharif, Kemal Koç | |
14:00 - 14:15 | Early management and intensive care for spinal cord injury | Akobir Ibrahimgov |
14:15 - 14:30 | Closed or open reduction for locked facets | Eun Sang Kim |
14:30 - 14:45 | Anterior cervical plating technique | Ülkün Ünlü Ünsal |
14:45 - 15:00 | Posterior cervical fixation techniques (lateral mass, pedicle screw) | Zhandos Tuigynov |
15:00 - 15:15 | C1-C2 fixation and occiput-cervical fixation techniques | Salman Sharif |
15:15 - 15:30 | Management of odontoid fractures | Numan Karaarslan |
15:30 - 15:45 | Coffee Break | |
Panel 5 - Surgery for Cervical Degenerative Diseases | Nikolay Peev, Sait Naderi | |
15:45 - 16:00 | Cervical posterior foraminotomy and discectomy | Suat Canbay |
16:00 - 16:15 | Cervical disc herniation: ACDF vs Arthroplasty | Daryn Borangliyev |
16:15 - 16:30 | Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: Classification | Nikolay Peev |
16:30 - 16:45 | Cervical laminoplasty vs cervical laminectomy & fusion for CSM | Galymzhan Kadirbekov |
16:45- 17:00 | Cervical OPLL: Management options | Abdulfarruk Kerimov |
Panel 6 - Case Discussion | Mehmet Zileli, Abdulfarruk Kerimov | |
17:00 - 17:10 | Case: Odontoid fracture | Meirzhan Oshaev |
17:10 - 17:20 | Case: Hangman fracture | Abdul Guliyev |
17:20 - 17:30 | Case: CSM posterior decompression | Daryn Borangliyev |
17:30 - 17:40 | Case: CSM anterior decompression | Abdulfarruk Kerimov |
17:40 - 17:50 | Case: Atlas fracture | Galymzhan Kadirbekov |
19:30 | Faculty Dinner |
May 17th SUNDAY
Time | Topic | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
Panel 7 - Thoracolumbar Trauma | Viktor Aleinikov, Altay Sencer | |
08:30 - 08:45 | Classification of thoracolumbar fractures | Yergen Kenzhegulov |
08:45 - 09:00 | Management of thoracolumbar fractures | Osama Arim |
09:00 - 09:15 | Scheuermann Kyphosis: Pathogenesis and Clinical Evaluation | Suat Canbay |
09:15- 09:30 | Surgical Management of osteoporotic fractures | Nikolay Peev |
09:30 - 09:45 | Vertebral augmentation for osteoporotic fractures | Sait Naderi |
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09:45- 10:00 | Coffee Break | |
Panel 8 - Spinal Deformity | Güçlühan Güçlü, Salim Senturk | |
10:00 - 10:15 | Principles of spinal deformity management | Kemal Koç |
10:15 - 10:30 | Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Classification and management options | Güçlühan Güçlü |
10:30 - 10:45 | Correction maneuvers for scoliosis | Salim Sentürk |
10:45 - 11:00 | Congenital scoliosis: Management options | Yahya Güvenç |
11:00 - 11:15 | Spinal osteotomy techniques | Numan Karaarslan |
11:15 - 11:30 | Adult degenerative scoliosis: Classification and management | Yahya Güvenç |
11:30 - 11:45 | Prevention of adult degenerative scoliosis surgery complications | Ersin Özeren |
11:45 - 12:00 | Pseudoarthrosis: Prevention and management | Adnan Demirci |
12:00 - 12:15 | Adjacent level disease: Prevention and management | Edip Akyol |
12:15 - 13:00 | -- LUNCH -- | |
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13:00 - 14:00 | Hands-on workshop on models. Surgical approaches, corpectomy, osteotomy | |
Panel 9 - Spine Tumors | Serdar Kahraman, Eun Sang Kim | |
14:00 - 14:15 | Metastatic spine tumor | Viktor Aleinikov |
14:15 - 14:30 | Current Surgical strategies for spinal metastasis | Serdar Kahraman |
14:30 - 14:45 | Multidisciplinary management for spinal metastasis | Altay Sencer |
14:45 - 15:00 | Primary spine tumors: Management options | Zhandos Tuigynov |
15:00 - 15:15 | Intradural spinal tumor surgery | Serdar Kahraman |
15:15 - 15:30 | Coffee Break | |
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Panel 10 - Case Discussion | Mehmet Zileli, Numan Karaarslan | |
15:30 - 15:40 | Case: Metastatic spine tumor | Zhandos Tuigynov |
15:40 - 15:50 | Case: Primary spine tumor | Minuarov Ramazan |
15:50 - 16:00 | Case: Cervicothoracic junction anterior approach | Onur Erdogan |
16:00 - 16:10 | Case: Thoracic /TL junction anterior approach | Fatih Akbulut |
16:10 - 16:20 | Case: Sacrum tumor | Meirzhan Oshaev |
Closing Remarks |