Welcome in Amsterdam for Spineweek – a very unique and interesting city with something for everyone. SpineWeek is one of the biggest spine meetings in the world concentrating the highest scientific level to promote the best treatment for the patients. Surgeons are facing challenges all over the world. Looking forward, it’s clear that there is a much greater emphasis on cost-containment and reductions in the use of high-cost procedures and treatments. There are more restrictive guidelines and appropriateness criteria, and those new rules should be developed with the input of professional societies. The main reason for cost saving is the global health system cost and expenses which are growing with always the same « budget » to share. Unfortunately the money allocated isn’t following the same growing speed.

Looking for evidence of efficacy is one of the objectives of the Eurospine Society. To promote this, EuroSpine has developed the Health Technology Assessment committee and its own database system. The SpineTango database is open to all and allows the anonymous collection of data leading to the possibility of benchmarking. This is one of the strongest contributions of EuroSpine through the EuroSpine Foundation (ESF), affiliated and sponsored by EuroSpine, for this mission. This, in combination with teaching of young surgeons providing the ESF-EuroSpine diploma and the ESF-EuroSpine fellowship allows an international partnership with the best centers in Europe. Becoming a EuroSpine member brings a strong support and helps one to improve his/her practice.

I would like to thank the EuroSpine Program Chairs, who will have the opportunity to share the highlights of their area of expertise with you in the symposia, controversies and debates.

This year we will be offering concurrent sessions in combination with the other societies involved in SpineWeek. We look forward to welcoming you to Amsterdam in May 2012. After the sessions Amsterdam is a wonderful city to spend good time.

Jean Charles LeHuec, MD, PhD

EuroSpine President