Dr. Albert Wong Leads Advanced Surgical Training for Next-Gen Spine Surgeons

The training sessions, held in San Diego, focused on bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. In April, Wong led faculty from UC Irvine to train residents and fellows from UCLA, UC San Diego, and UC Irvine in endoscopic surgery and artificial disc replacement. These sessions utilized proctored cadaver environments, allowing trainees to refine their dexterity and decision-making skills before entering a live operating room.

During a September session sponsored by Globus, Wong demonstrated the prone lateral transpsoas lumbar spinal fusion. This technique allows surgeons to access the lumbar spine from the side while the patient remains face down, providing 360-degree control over spinal deformities without needing to reposition the patient mid-surgery. When integrated with robotic navigation, the approach enables surgeons to execute pre-mapped implant plans with increased precision. For Wong, these courses are vital for ensuring that modern, efficient techniques move from clinical research into standard practice for patients.