 SAS8 Conference Highlights
Thank You from Kristy Radcliffe
Dear SAS8 Participant: Thank you for attending the SAS8 Global Symposium on Motion Preservation in Miami. With 1,858 participants representing 46 countries -- up from 1,471 in 2007 -- the conference successfully offered a roster of diverse and dynamic topics and presenters on motion preservation technology. Please join me in thanking the Program Chairs; Overall Chair, Henry Halm, MD, PhD, Basic Science Chair, Hans-Joachim Wilke, PhD and Rick Guyer, MD for their hard work and commitment. And to the entire Program Committee for the development of such a rich educational program. We must also acknowledge and applaud the work of the award winners: Authors: D. Murrey, M. Janssen, R. Delamarter, J. Goldstein, J. Zigler, B. Tay, B. Darden
Winners of the Leon L. Wiltse Award, donated by Dr. and Mrs. Hansen A. Yuan, MD for the Best Overall Paper titled:
Results of the Prospective, Randomized, Multi-Center Food and Drug Administration Investigational Device Exemption Study of the Pro-Disc C Total Disc Replacement vs. Anterior Discectomy and Fusion for the Treatment of 1-Level Symptomatic Cervical Disc Disease Authors: L. Voronov, R. Havey, D. Rosler, S. Sjovold, S. Rogers, G. Carandang, J. Ochoa, A. Patwardhan
Winners of the Best Basic Science Paper titled:
Kinematics of Facet Arthroplasty: A Comparison of L5-S1 and L3-L4 Levels Authors: J. Sherman, P. Donkersloot, F. Martens, M. Ahrens, H. Halm, A Tsantrizos, H. Yuan, J.C. LeHuec
Winners of the Best Clinical Paper titled:
Two Year Interim European Clinical Results of Nucleus Replacement Using an In Situ Cured, Balloon Contained, Injectable Polyurethane Device
Winners of the Best Clinical Paper And Authors: P. McAfee, B. Cunningham, F. Phillips, J. Devine, A. Cappuccino, J. Regan
Winners of the Best Poster titled:
Lower Incidence of Dysphagia with Cervical Arthroplasty compared to ACDF in a Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial
The SAS8 offered more than ever before including the addition of Taped Live Surgeries, the enthusiastic debates that occurred during the Indications Symposium, the high energy performance of artist Michael Israel as he astounded all with his flair for the dramatic, the hand held audience response systems and the address by astronaut Hans Schlegel. Exhibitors experienced a larger exhibit hall with wider aisles for easy flow of attendees. The faculty members were treated to a delightful evening on the Florida Coast at the Vizcaya Mansion--a memorable time for all. To see photos of the highlights of the SAS8 as well as access the Presidential address go to www.spinearthroplasty.org. By mid-June members will have access to the audio presentations of the conference. The path the SAS is taking has been noticed by Wachovia's senior analyst Mike Matson who commented to investors on May 5, "Many industry contacts indicated that due to its adjacency with the SAS meeting, the AANS meeting is becoming less important to the spine industry. Next year the two conferences overlap and we believe that when surgeons are forced to choose, those focused on spine procedures may choose SAS over AANS."
SAS President, Karin Büttner-Janz, MD, PhD has made her direction for the next year apparent in her Presidential Speech, stating: "The SAS Annual Global Symposium 2008 is taking important steps to fulfill the purpose and goal that our society has in the long run, with a highly qualified scientific program of more than 100 oral presentations and many industry workshops. We are still far away from our goal, individually as well as generally - as society. In Germany people sometimes say 'There is much to be done – let's wait.' We can't wait! For example the next generation devices are now in development. Maybe they can show even more impressively that motion retaining devices have a better outcome than traditional fusion surgeries. We have learned from the past to improve the future. New implants, materials, technologies and procedures should increase ease and accuracy, should reduce the recovery time and improve the outcome, should exclude as much as possible long-term problems and revision surgeries." You may access Dr. Büttner-Janz's complete address on our website. It is also important that we acknowledge and thank all those companies that exhibited. The industry contribution continues to grow as we topped off the exhibit hall with 70 companies. We thank the following award-winning sponsors for their financial support of the SAS: Platinum Partners:
Intervention Spine and Synthes Spine Gold Partners:
DePuy Spine, Medtronic, Stryker and Zimmer Spine Silver Partners:
Braun, NuVasive, Paradigm Spine and Spinal Motion The Spine Arthroplasty Society - The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (including motion preservation, innovative technologies and biologics and MIS procedures) is the fastest growing spine society in the world. To keep up the momentum we must continue to offer our members the most valuable scientific and educational programs available—and strong participation in our conferences will do just that. Please mark your calendars for the SAS9 which will be hosted in London, England, April 28- May 1, 2009. Overall Program Chair Frank Phillips, MD, Basic Science Chair Avinash Patwardhan, PhD, Clinical Chair, Todd Albert, MD and the newly created position of MIS Chair of Choll Kim, MD have been charged to continue the high academic standard and will develop a program that will continue to meet and exceed expectations. Dr. Manoj Krishina, as local host will guide the SAS staff in scouting out the "brilliant" locations throughout London. Watch the SAS website for additional information regarding abstract submissions (September 1- October 22) as well as registration details which can be found under the Conference tab in the coming months. Again, thank you for participating in SAS8 in Miami. We look forward to meeting and exceeding your expectations in London next year! Sincerely,
Kristy Radcliffe
Executive Director
Spine Arthroplasty Society
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