Surgical precision meets an international audience

Spinal surgeons from Sportklinik Hellersen perform live surgery at a conference in China

The “German-Chinese Forum on the Development of Diagnosis and Treatment of Spinal Deformities in Children” focused on innovative therapeutic approaches. Congress participants included leading spine specialists from major Chinese cities and renowned representatives of international professional associations, including the designated chair of the Scoliosis Research Society, a world-leading spine association.

A highlight of the congress was a scoliosis operation performed jointly by Dr. Oliver Meier and Liang Zhou on a Chinese patient. The procedure was broadcast live, giving the international audience of experts direct insight into the surgical approach of the German team. “During the live operation, we were able to demonstrate how we operate using modern surgical techniques and the highest quality standards,” explains Dr. Oliver Meier. The support of the surgical assistant from the Sportklinik Hellersen, who had traveled with the team, was crucial to ensuring that everything ran smoothly. “Our technique requires the screws to be inserted freely – this only works with a well-coordinated team,” emphasizes the Chief of Special Spinal Surgery. The precision and efficiency of the surgical team were greatly appreciated by the Chinese hosts – a clear sign of the high standing of the surgeons at Sportklinik Hellersen in international comparison.

The four-day congress was dedicated to the professional exchange of information on current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of spinal deformities in children. In several specialist presentations, the spine experts from Sportklinik Hellersen presented proven and advanced treatment concepts for neuromuscular and early childhood scoliosis.

The presentation on the use of magnetically controlled, grow-with-the-child implants — an innovative procedure in which the specialists from Lüdenscheid have proven surgical expertise — aroused particular interest.

In case discussions, various treatment approaches were discussed using specific patient examples. While Dr. Oliver Meier and Liang Zhou presented completed cases, their Chinese colleagues contributed open case histories – the basis for intensive international dialogue among the experts.

“The direct comparison of different approaches to scoliosis treatment provides valuable impetus for the further development of our own therapy concepts,” emphasizes Dr. Oliver Meier, and Liang Zhou adds: “Innovative, forward-looking technologies were presented at the congress that have the potential to improve surgical precision and treatment quality in the long term.”

The delegation from the Sportklinik Hellersen was particularly impressed by the presentation of a 3D printing technology for surgical planning. In difficult cases, such as complex spinal deformities, Chinese colleagues can create patient-specific 3D templates that are used for precise surgical planning. “This technology enables accurate and individual planning of procedures,” explains Dr. Oliver Meier.

An innovative AI-based scoliosis app developed by a professor from Hong Kong was also presented at the congress. This app offers parents the opportunity to perform exercises with their children at home and monitor their progress by uploading images. The app allows data to be forwarded directly to the clinic, meaning that follow-up examinations no longer have to take place on site at the hospital. The app also detects early signs of scoliosis and is now used in all schools and by parents in Beijing. “It was like something out of the future,” says Dr. Oliver Meier, enthusiastically recounting his impressions.

At the same time, the approaches presented confirm the path that the Sportklinik Hellersen is already consistently pursuing: picking up on digital and preventive developments at an early stage and integrating them into care in a targeted manner — always with the aim of continuously improving the quality of treatment.