ASSI Operative Course 2025: Advancing Excellence in Spine Surgery

The ASSI Operative Course 2025, conducted under the aegis of the Association of Spine Surgeons of India (ASSI) and hosted by the Bombay Spine Society, was successfully organized from 17th to 19th October 2025 at The St. Regis, Mumbai. This landmark event once again underscored ASSI’s commitment to academic excellence, knowledge sharing, and the continual evolution of spine surgery practice in India.

The course was meticulously conceptualized and executed under the leadership of Dr. Samir Dalvie (Chairman), Dr. Tushar Rathod (Organizing Secretary), and Dr. Dhiraj Sonawane (Organizing Secretary). Their collective efforts, supported by the ASSI and BSS executive teams, ensured a seamless blend of structured academic content, surgical demonstration, and interactive learning.

Over three days, the ASSI Operative Course 2025 provided participants with an unparalleled educational experience through over 70 recorded surgical videos, featuring a diverse array of techniques demonstrated by leading national and international faculty. These meticulously curated videos formed the academic backbone of the meeting, allowing attendees to observe, analyze, and learn the “Art of Execution” across the full spectrum of spinal pathologies. From foundational procedures like microdiscectomy and decompression to complex deformity correction, minimally invasive fusion, spinal oncology, and motion preservation surgeries, the surgical video sessions brought operative principles to life in vivid detail. Each demonstration was paired with expert commentary, case-based discussions, and audience interaction, making it both instructive and clinically relevant.

One of the defining strengths of the ASSI Operative Course has always been its focus on practical skill development, and this year was no exception. The academic sessions were complemented by hands-on cadaveric workshops, held at two premier institutions in Mumbai — D. Y. Patil Medical College and K. J. Somaiya Medical College. These workshops offered participants invaluable opportunities to apply surgical techniques under expert supervision, bridging the gap between theory and operative execution. Focused modules on Endoscopic Spine Surgery, Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF), and Craniovertebral Junction (CVJ) procedures enabled surgeons to refine their anatomical understanding and technical confidence in a controlled environment.

The Young Surgeons’ Forum was another major highlight of the program, providing an academic platform for emerging spine surgeons to showcase their cases, share experiences, and receive constructive feedback from senior mentors. This initiative reflected ASSI’s vision of cultivating the next generation of spine specialists through structured guidance and peer interaction.

In addition to its scientific rigor, the course featured high-impact keynote sessions and expert panels, with discussions that explored current controversies, evolving evidence, and future directions in spine surgery. The event was formally inaugurated by Lt. Gen. M. M. Naravane (Retd.), former Chief of the Indian Army, who inspired attendees with his address on leadership, precision, and discipline—principles that resonate deeply within surgical practice.

By combining rich academic content with real-world operative insight and hands-on training, the ASSI Operative Course 2025 reaffirmed its status as one of the premier educational events in the field of spine surgery. The exceptional planning and coordination by Dr. Samir Dalvie, Dr. Tushar Rathod, and Dr. Dhiraj Sonawane transformed this year’s course into a truly comprehensive learning experience—one that advanced not only the technical expertise of participants but also the collaborative spirit that drives progress in spinal care.