MISSAB Short-Term Fellowship Program

MISSAB has gone decisive to take some concrete academic steps : launching fellowship opportunities at dedicated MIS centres.

 

Goal: This training is aimed at surgeons who wish to enhance their training in minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS).This will help a MISSAB member fellow learn basic to advances of MISS.

 

Benefits: Exposure to centre specific MISS techniques.
Certification: The candidate will be honoured with a certificate at the subsequent annual conference.

 

Requirements:
1. MISSAB membership
2. Committed Interest in MISS
3. The fellow has to maintain a log book and take the tutor’s signature at the end and share the copy with the MISSAB secretariat

 

Duration of Fellowship: 3 weeks

 

Recognition of the Centre:

1. The prospective centre should express their interest by mailing the secretary, MISSAB (secretarymissab@gmail.com) describing its qualifications to fulfil the criteria. The executive committee will take a decision and recognise the centre
2. The centre’s position to continue fellowship will be renewed every 3rd year by the EC. For this, the centre will be notified in advance.

 

Criteria’s for Fellowship Centre:

1. Tutor should be a MISSAB member
2. More than 80% of operative work should relate to MISS
3. Permission from the hospital authorities to permit fellowship
4. There should be emphasis for publications and research

 

How to apply?

1. Interested candidates have to apply to secretarymissab@gmail.com indicating their choice of centre.
2. Depending upon the logistics of the MISS mentor of the centre, MISSAB will organize the scheduling of the fellowship. The applied Centre will reply back through MISSAB about availability of convenient dates.

 

The following are the available MISSAB accredited training centres and Mentors.

Dr Karthik Kailash
Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai

Dr Karthik Kailash
Prof and Head of Spine Surgery
Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai

Number of MIS surgeries that the fellow will be exposed to in 3 weeks between 15-20 cases
Types of MIS procedures Percutaneous pedicle screws,Vertebroplasty, MIS TLIF, MIS decompressions, OLIF Endoscopic discectomy are the various procedures being done routinely at our institution
Infrastructure available at the centre: Endoscope/ Microscope/ Image intensifier/ O-arm etc Microscope, C arm Endoscope
Experience of the mentor Have been doing MIS for over 15 years atleast
Opportunity for hands-on and level of participation Can assist but will not be able to operate we already have two spine fellows and Post grads so opportunity for hands on will be only at the level of assisting
Scope for the mentor-fellow to be involved in research and publications- This has to be defined if he wishes to get involved in research as a multi centre then yes but 3 weeks is too short a period to be involved in research of substance
Accommodation – if available (not a compulsory criteria) Available on payment basis within the hospital campus itself
Dr Ketan Deshpande
Saishree Hospital Pune

Dr Ketan Deshpande
Saishree Hospital Pune

Number of MIS surgeries that the fellow will be exposed to in 3 weeks Approximately 18-20 surgeries over 3 weeks time
Types of MIS procedures Mainly UBE surgeries including Decompression, Discectomies, UBE-TLIF, UBE- Posterior Cervical Foraminotomies, Endoscopy (transforaminal)
Infrastructure available at the centre: Endoscope/ Microscope/ Image intensifier/ O-arm etc Complete Transforaminal Endoscopy and UBE instrumentation, Stryker Full HD video trolley, Spine Microscope, Image intensifier
Experience of the mentor 8 to 9 years fin Private practice following Post-graduation and respective Fellowships
Opportunity for hands-on and level of participation Fellows can get Scrubbed in for all Surgeries and would get good hands-on experience
Scope for the mentor-fellow to be involved in research and publications- Fellows can become a part of the ongoing research activities
Accommodation – if available (not a compulsory criteria) Not possible in Hospital premises but can help in getting the same near the Hospital
Dr Rakshith Srinivasa
M S RAMAIAH INSTITUTE OF NEUROSCIENCES

Dr Rakshith Srinivasa
M S RAMAIAH INSTITUTE OF NEUROSCIENCES,
M.B.B.S, M.S (General Surgery), MCh Neurosurgery (PGI)
Fellowship in Minimal Invasive Spine Surgery Cambridge University (UK)
Consultant Neurosurgeon
M.S Ramaiah Memorial Hospital
Assistant Professor Neurosurgery,
M.S Ramaiah Medical College and Hospital

1. Number of MIS surgeries that the fellow will be exposed to in 3 weeks Approximately 10- 15 cases. if we are informed earlier about the period of visit, we can accumulate more cases during that period.
2. Types of MIS procedures Minimal invasive fenestration and discectomy, missi unilateral approach and bilateral foraminotomy, Cervical laminoforaminotomy and discectomy, Missi TLIF, Missi long segment fusion, missi percutaneous biopsy, missi kyphoplasty and laminoplasty, missi hemilamenctomy and tumour excision for IDEMS. Inter laminar Endoscopic decompression and discectomy for canal stenosis, Navigation based minimal invasive fusion
3.Infrastructure available at the centre: Endoscope/ Microscope/ Image intensifier/ O-arm etc Operating microscope (OH4 Leica), Medtronic navigation S8 with 2D Care tracker, Medtronic quadrant retractor system, Medtronic nimeclipse neuro-monitoring, Seimen 2D C arm, Karlz stores HD monitor and Gore-intraforaminal endoscopic set.
4. Experience of the mentor 11 years post MCh Neurosurgery from PGI Chandigarh. Trained in minimal invasive spine surgery under guidance of Mr Rikki Trivedi, Cambridge University, United Kingdom (IASA Fellowship). Have been performing 90% of spinal cases using minimal invasive techniques since 2015.
5. Opportunity for hands-on and level of participation The Fellow will be the first assistant for the first week and based on the surgical skills will be permitted to do simple minimal invasive basic steps like docking, lamina fenestration. We have a world class cadaveric lab in M S Ramaiah Advanced Learning Centre where the Fellow will be permitted to work on cadavers with a minimal invasive set.
6. Scope for the mentor-fellow to be involved in research and publications- Yes. the Fellow will be encouraged to engage in research activity along with the Mentor and such work shall be published with the fellow being first author.
7. Accommodation – if available (not a compulsory criteria) Lots of paying guest facility close to the hospital.
Dr Sudhir Dubey
Medanta Hospital, New Delhi

Dr Sudhir Dubey
Medanta Hospital, New Delhi

1. Number of MIS surgeries that the fellow will be exposed to in 3 weeks 15 in 3 weeks
2. Types of MIS procedures All levels. All levels
3.Infrastructure available at the centre: Endoscope/ Microscope/ Image intensifier/ O-arm etc All
4. Experience of the mentor 24 years minimally invasive
5. Opportunity for hands-on and level of participation scrub. Will place screw
6. Scope for the mentor-fellow to be involved in research and publications- fellow to be involved in research and publications. Candidate enthusiasm
7. Accommodation – if available (not a compulsory criteria) not available but cheap 3 weeks guest houses at walkable distance
Dr. Ajay Krishnan
Stavya Spine Hospital & Research Institute

Dr Ajay Krishnan
Consultant Spine Surgeon
Stavya Spine Hospital & Research Institute,
Near nagari hospital, Mithakhali, Ahmedabad, India – 380007.

Mobile : +919824302768
drajaykrishnan@gmail.com
www.stavyaspine.com

1. Number of MIS surgeries that the fellow will be exposed to in 3 weeks 15 to 30 depending on availability.
2. Types of MIS procedures Transforaminal Endoscopy, Percutaneous fixation, navigated surgeries, MISS TLIF, OLIF, Biopsy , Pain management injections.

 
3.Infrastructure available at the centre: Endoscope/ Microscope/ Image intensifier/ O-arm etc Burr, Bone scalpel.
4. Experience of the mentor Dr Ajay Krishnan 20 yrs

Dr Bharat R Dave 30 years

Dr Devanand 12yrs

Dr Shivanand 16 yrs

Dr Ravi Ranjan 10 years
5. Opportunity for hands-on and level of participation 1st Assistance
6. Scope for the mentor-fellow to be involved in research and publications- One paper to be submitted.
7. Accommodation – if available (not a compulsory criteria) No
Dr. G. Balamurali
Kauvery Advanced Spine Centre

Dr. G. Balamurali
Head of Spine Services
Consultant Spine and Neurosurgeon
Kauvery Advanced Spine Centre

1. Number of MIS surgeries that the fellow will be exposed to in 3 weeks 10 – 12 cases
2. Types of MIS procedures Types of MIS procedures that will be done are TLIF, Tumours, Disectomy, Decompression, MIS Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy, Vertebroplasty, Multilevel fusion and Scoliosis

 
3.Infrastructure available at the centre: Endoscope/ Microscope/ Image intensifier/ O-arm etc Endoscope, Microscope, Image intensifier, Navigation and High Speed Burr
4. Experience of the mentor 20 + years
5. Opportunity for hands-on and level of participation The fellow can scrub up for all cases in 3 weeks
6. Scope for the mentor-fellow to be involved in research and publications- 1 paper will be compulsory
7. Accommodation – if available (not a compulsory criteria) Can arrange next to hospital for 3 weeks – Walking distance

 
Dr. Varun Agarwal
Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital and Keshlata Hospital

Dr. Varun Agarwal
Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital and Keshlata Hospital
Fellowship Mentor – (www.mispinecare.com)

1. Number of MIS surgeries that the fellow will be exposed to in 3 weeks 15-20
2. Types of MIS procedures MED, MIS-TLIF, OLIF, MIS fixations, MIS corpectomies, Vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, PTELD, ENDO-Fusion, Pain procedures – joint injections, SNRBs, RF Ablation, O arm navigation based surgeries, MIS deformity correction

 

 
3.Infrastructure available at the centre: Endoscope/ Microscope/ Image intensifier/ O-arm etc Endoscope storz, Pentero zeiss (2), C arm flat panel, O arm, Stealth station navigation (3), Misonix etc.
4. Experience of the mentor 6 years
5. Opportunity for hands-on and level of participation Yes as 1st assistant
6. Scope for the mentor-fellow to be involved in research and publications- Yes as we are university hospital
7. Accommodation – if available (not a compulsory criteria) Yes, university hostel/guest house

 
Dr. Vikas Gupte

Dr. Vikas Gupte

1. Number of MIS surgeries that the fellow will be exposed to in 3 weeks 15 to 30 depending on availability.
2. Types of MIS procedures Transforaminal Endoscopy, Percutaneous fixation, MISS TLIF, OLIF, Biopsy , Pain management injections.

Navigated surgery.( we will be starting full endoscopy soon).

 
3.Infrastructure available at the centre: Endoscope/ Microscope/ Image intensifier/ O-arm etc Endoscope/ Microscope/ Image intensifier , Navigation, Burr, Bone scalpel.
4. Experience of the mentor Dr Vikas Gupte – 30 yrs

Dr Kumar Shetty – 10 years

Dr. Satyen Mehta – 20 years
5. Opportunity for hands-on and level of participation 2nd Assistance
6. Scope for the mentor-fellow to be involved in research and publications- One paper to be submitted.
7. Accommodation – if available (not a compulsory criteria) No ( hospital will help in finding one)

 
Dr. Arvind G Kulkarni
Breach Candy & Saifee Hospitals, Mumbai

Dr. Arvind G Kulkarni
Consultant Spine Surgeon
Bombay, Breach Candy & Saifee Hospitals, Mumbai

1. Number of MIS surgeries that the fellow will be exposed to in 3 weeks About 15-20
2. Types of MIS procedures Tubular Surgeries

 

 
3.Infrastructure available at the centre: Endoscope/ Microscope/ Image intensifier/ O-arm etc Microscope, Navigation

 
4. Experience of the mentor More than 15 years

 
5. Opportunity for hands-on and level of participation Observer

 
6. Scope for the mentor-fellow to be involved in research and publications- High impetus on research
7. Accommodation – if available (not a compulsory criteria) Fellow has to organise

 
Dr. Ayush Sharma

Dr. Ayush Sharma

1. Number of MIS surgeries that the fellow will be exposed to in 3 weeks 12-16 major MIS cases in a 3 weeks period
2. Types of MIS procedures Our unit offers a complete range of MIS procedures including -Endoscopy ( Interlaminar +Trasforaminal ),Olif assisted fusion surgery ,Tubular decompression/Discectomy ,MIS -TLIF,MIS fixation surgery ,MIS assisted degenerative scoliosis surgeries ,MIS cervical foraminotomy and decompression (Tubular/Endoscopic)
3.Infrastructure available at the centre: Endoscope/ Microscope/ Image intensifier/ O-arm etc We have a good robust infrastructure for MIS surgeries which include – Complete endoscopic system both for trasforaminal and interlaminar surgeries including endoscopic burr and RF System ( Richard Wolf ), Tubular retractor system ( Synthes),Midas Rex Burr System ( Medtronic ),Ultrasonic Scalpel System (Stryker -Sonopet),Neuromonitoring system ( Cadwell) ,C arm ( Siemens) , Carbon fiber top OT table ( Trumf) ,Karl Stroz OT lights with wireless projection and recording ,2D /3D navigation system, High end spine microscope (Lyca ) are part of our present set up..
4. Experience of the mentor eight years of experience in spine surgery and over five year of experience in performing MIS surgeries .I am recognised DNB faculty and has been actively participating in teaching and training spine surgeons for the last four years .Have participated as spine faculty for various national and international conferences and teaching programme.My affiliation to MIS surgery is well known .
5. Opportunity for hands-on and level of participation Being a central government hospital our unit encourages all visiting surgeons and fellows to actively participate and scrub in surgeries .Visiting fellows should expect a decent hands-on experience .
6. Scope for the mentor-fellow to be involved in research and publications- Spine unit has published more than 30 papers in the last five years with more than 70 citations.All our residents and fellow get a good opportunity to be part of our ongoing research projects .
7. Accommodation – if available (not a compulsory criteria) Currently we don’t have an option of providing accomodation to visiting and short term fellows .
Dr Amit Jhala
Dr Rajkumar Deshpande
Dr Sukumar Sura
Dr. Malcolm Pestonji
Dr. Shrinivas Rohidas
Dr P C Dey
Dr Mohinder Kaushal
Dr Arun Bhanot