Dear Colleagues, dear friends,

It’s my pleasure and honour to welcome you to participate in our 15nd international workshop on Endoscopic Neurosurgery held in Ghent, Belgium, Oktober 4, 5, 6 and 7, 2009.

With our workshop, we offer each participant a hands-on training in the application of endoscopic instruments for a broad spectrum of indications. There will be interactive teaching videos and discussion on operative techniques. We will demonstrate the organisation of the operation theatre and the role of the instrument nurse. During the course there will be practice on anesthetized rats with full equipment of all instruments, video, laser, and bipolar coagulation. There is a complete installation per two participants.

This year’s social program embraces our beautiful city by highlighting the best Ghent has to offer. Nowhere else you will find so much history per square metre in a pedestrian historical city centre. A city embedded in the Middle Ages when Ghent was, next to Paris, the second largest town north of the Alps. Here pounds the young heart of a dazzling city of culture full of music, theatre, film and visual arts. A city where cultural perspectives are constantly renewed and enlarged, where culture is a feast and where feasting is a form of culture. Also let’s not forget the people, for they undoubtedly add to the unique atmosphere in our sparkling city of culture. It’s for good reason that this year Ghent was voted third most authentic historic city center worldwide. It is a crown worn with great pride.

Looking forward to welcome you in Ghent...

Best regards,

Prof. Dr. J. Caemaert
Course Director