International Video Conference, Rome and Taipei, April 16, 2011

 April 16 afternoon from 2 to 7 pm (Taipei time; 9 am-2pm Rome time), we held a video conference between Rome and Taipei. The organizer was MOVINGTECH, Rome, Italy, which is an emerging spine product company in Europe. The CEO, Mr. Diego (Herr Diego Pizzicaroli) is an intelligent, humorous, ambitious, and honest gentleman, together with his diligent staffs (Mr. Giuseppe Tricarico, Ms.Daniela Pellegrino, and others; Mr. Mr. Sabatino Vittorio was not available due to tiredness, a regret)

Dr. Bambang (far left), Prof. Lu (middle), me (right), Mr. Jerry Lin (standing), and his secretary Cindy.

Scene of video conference. The assistants: a German interpreter (the lady in the middle), and two ladies from MediaPlus (left and right).

 The scientific video conference was successfully accomplished. The international participants were from Germany, Italy, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.  There were a total of 18 professionals; On European side (Rome, Italy), there were 15 famous German and Italian professors and spine surgeons joined the meeting (they were from various cities in Germany and Italy); on Asian side (Taipei, Taiwan), there were three speakers: Indonesian (Dr. Bambang Darwano), Hong Kong (Professor William Lu, of Hong Kong University), and me (BoneCare Orthopaedic Center).
 The main theme of the conference was to introduce and demonstrate new spine products to the audience: Vessel-X, Vessel-lock, and bioactive cement (Sr-HA) from Mr. Jerry Lin, Taiwan, and Latero of my own design for lumbar interbody fusion.
  The first speaker was Dr. Jaqeline Repman (Mr. Diego's spouse, a seasoned German orthopaedic surgeon), she lectured about her experience of using Vessel-X in treating osteoporotic vertebral fractures, the most feared cement leakage was contained by a perforated bag of Vessel-X; I was the second, introducing the concept of Latero, results of biomechanical test compared with SynFix (Synthes, Switzerland), and its clinical outcomes of Latero in various lumbar disorders requiring interbody fusion. Dr. Bambang talked about Vessel-lock in stabilizing and treating kyphosis due to multiple-level vertebral osteoporotic compression fracture with satisfying outcomes. Professor Lu introduced Strontium (Sr, an element near identical to calcium) based bioactive cement, his extensive lab (animal) studies was impressive; the shortcomings of bone cement (PMMA) may have a better alternative to alleviate.
 All agenda were right on time, just the same as in a formal international conference. The Q & A section was non-stop from the audience, and translated by a German lady from our side. The voices from both sides were clearly heard and answered liked that we all sat in the same room
 When we look at the incidence of several most commonly performed spine procedures, vertebroplasty (or kyphoplasty), and lumbar interbody fusion are the leading twos, due to global aging societies. Both procedures have many medical products from various companies to achieve the same goals of pain relief and to improve quality of life.  However, surgical complications are not uncommon and may result in devastating insult to the patients. To minimize complications and protect patients, the new, safe, and proved medical products are the utmost priority.
 This international video conference demonstrated new ways to treat osteoporotic compression fractures and various lumbar disorders requiring interbody fusion. We all wish more video conferences planned in the future to communicate and exchange ideas synchronously at different countries without the expense of flight and time. Lastly, I would like to thank Mr. Diego for his hard working, Dr. Bambang and Professor Lu for flying to Taipei to attend the conference.