From the SpineWeek Committee

The purpose of SpineWeek is to synchronize the annual meetings of leading scientific societies concerned with disorders of the spine on one location. The first SpineWeek meeting was held in Porto in 2004. It turned out to be a success not only for the participating societies, but also for the attendants and sponsoring industry.

The venue was great and although there were about 2.000 attendees, SpineWeek 2004 was organized in such a way that the special identity of each of the involved societies was respected both on a scientific and social level.

Each society kept its own abstract submission and its own scientific program selection. There were business meetings, presidential lectures, guest lectures and award session as usual. Yet, the scientific program was structured in such a way that papers of similar interests coming from different societies appeared in the same sections. Repeat presentations at different societies was eliminated and the overall quality was of the highest level.

Participants had the opportunity to meet colleagues sharing the same interests. Of particular appeal was meeting others whom they are not used to come across at their own specific society meetings.

Workshops and a large commercial exhibit gave plenty of exposure to the industry. Some companies organized in the margin of the meeting gala evenings that will always be remembered.

For the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (ISSLS), the Spine Society of Europe (SSE) and the European section of the Cervical Spine Research Society (E-CSRS), SpineWeek is the normal annual meeting. The two societies of Latin America: the Brazilian Spine Society (BSS) and the Sociedad Iberolatinoamericana de Columna Vertebral (SILACo) meeting on odd years, join SpineWeek with a full delegation and a scientific program. The Asia-Pacific Orthopaedic Association – Spinal Section (APOA) does not participate as society, but is sending a delegation to SpineWeek in Geneva. This year we welcome a new partner in this scientific adventure, The North American Spine Society (NASS).

The social program at SpineWeek 2008 will again reflect the separate identity of the participating scientific societies. Each one will host its own official dinner and halfway during the week, there will be an official SpineWeek banquet.

The SpineWeek committee invites all of those who are dedicated to the study and treatment of the spine to come and share their knowledge and experience in Geneva. In the light of the success of the 2004 Porto meeting, we feel that the 2008 meeting promises to turn SpineWeek into a 4-yearly tradition. Geneva is a great city with a perfect setting, exquisite food and magnificent facilities. Welcome to SpineWeek in Geneva.

The Spineweek Committee


Scott Boden
Jiri Dvorak
Ignacio Dockendorff
Ferran Pellisé
Dieter Grob
Robert Gunzburg
Richard Guyer
André Kaelin
Alexandre Machado
Marek Szpalski