First Cuban CME Course on Pediatric Neurosurgery, Havana, Cuba, 15–17 June 2006

Abstract

The First Cuban Course on Pediatric Neurosurgery, Havana 2006, organized by the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery (ISPN), was held in Havana, Cuba, on 15, 16, and 17 June. Dr. Tania Leyva Mastrapa (chairperson), Dr. Julio Brossard Alejo (cochairman), and Dr. Luis Alonso Fernandez (secretary) were on charge of the local organizing committee. A total of 76 delegates from Latin America, Africa, and Europe registered for this important event. Members of the international faculty were Prof. Edgardo Schijman (Buenos Aires, Argentina) as the scientific chairman, Prof. Concezio Di Rocco (Rome, Italy), Prof. Shizuo Oi (Tokyo, Japan), Prof. Bruce Storrs (Florida, USA), Prof. Charles Teo (Sidney, Australia), and Prof. Enrique Ventureyra (Ottawa, Canada). Hydrocephalus, neuroendoscopic surgery, open and closed spinal dysraphisms, management of intracranial arachnoid cyst, surgery of supratentorial and infratentorial tumors, and surgical treatment of craniosynostosis were the main topics discussed at the course sessions at which formal presentations were followed by a very interesting interaction between the faculty and young delegates. The evening social activities, the walks along the Malecon—the world famous Havana side-sea avenue— and the strolls around the historical streets of Old Havana, were carried out in a very relaxed atmosphere. This First Cuban Course on Pediatric Neurosurgery was considered a very successful event by delegates and by the foreign faculty as well. Hence, it is the intention of the local neurosurgical society to request the ISPN to organize a second course on Pediatric Neurosurgery in Cuba in 2008. The main objective of the course, the education in pediatric neurosurgery to young and to not so young neurosurgeons, was achieved and as an immediate result of the course is the fact that many young neurosurgeons in Cuba feel motivated to specialize in pediatric neurosurgery. Childs Nerv Syst (2007) 23:599 DOI 10.1007/s00381-007-0311-z