Dr. Hamid Abbasi to Lead Spine Surgery Training in UAE and Pakistan

Dr. Hamid Abbasi, a prominent neurosurgeon based in the United States, is set to enhance spine surgery training in both Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. He will participate in the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) meeting in Dubai, where he will lead hands-on training sessions focusing on advanced surgical techniques, specifically the Oblique Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (OLLIF) and Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) fusion. These procedures are recognized for their ability to minimize surgical trauma, decrease hospital stays, and expedite patient recovery.

Before his engagement in Dubai, Dr. Abbasi will arrive in Karachi, Pakistan, for a comprehensive clinical program. He will collaborate with Professor Salman Sharif and his team at the Pakistan Society of Neurosurgeons. During this time, he will perform live surgeries and oversee a cadaveric lab designed for residents and fellows. This initiative aims to provide practical exposure to minimally invasive techniques that are often overlooked in traditional training programs.

Expanding Surgical Knowledge in the Region

Following his activities at the WFNS, Dr. Abbasi will remain in the UAE to work alongside Dr. Munshi for an additional OLLIF and SIJ workshop. This extended training will focus on surgeon-level instruction, demonstrating the reproducibility of these techniques in high-volume surgical settings. Dr. Abbasi’s extensive experience includes performing over two thousand OLLIF procedures, making him one of the early pioneers of the TransKambin approach. His published outcomes reflect impressive statistics, including high fusion rates, minimal blood loss, and reduced operative times, even in complex cases involving multiple levels or revisions.

Dr. Abbasi’s international efforts are centered on knowledge transfer and the establishment of regional competency centers aimed at delivering advanced spine care to underserved populations. He emphasized the importance of accessibility in healthcare, stating, “We are proud to be in Pakistan and Dubai, and we are equally committed to transferring this technology to other countries around the world. The contents of this small bag are all we need to take care of half a dozen patients in Pakistan, with no need for expensive technologies such as a million dollar robot or navigation system. Our goal is to transfer knowledge and technology globally, and that is our commitment to our colleagues everywhere.”

His upcoming engagements underscore a significant commitment to advancing neurosurgical practices and improving patient care across regions that have historically faced challenges in accessing cutting-edge medical techniques.

For media inquiries or to request meeting schedules, please reach out to the Inspired Spine administrative office.