Spine Surgery Clinical Fellowship Training
The Spine Surgery Clinical Fellowship Training Program by Sky Medical Academy is an advanced clinical training opportunity designed for medical professionals seeking to deepen their expertise in spine surgery through structured mentorship, real-world clinical exposure, and hands-on learning.
Led by Prof. Çağatay Öztürk, MD, the program offers fellows the opportunity to work closely with leading surgeons and faculty from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Participants will gain valuable experience in the diagnosis, treatment, and surgical management of a wide range of spinal conditions affecting the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.
Hosted across multiple AO Spine Training Centers in Istanbul, including Central Hospital Etiler and Acibadem Hospital Taksim, this fellowship provides an immersive learning environment where mentorship meets mastery. Fellows will observe and participate in clinical workflows, surgical case discussions, patient evaluations, and treatment planning under the guidance of experienced spine surgery specialists.
The program is available in flexible durations of 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months, allowing participants to choose the training period that best aligns with their professional goals. Enrollment includes daily lunch at the hospital and a Fellowship Training Certificate by Sky Medical Academy upon completion.
This fellowship is ideal for orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, residents, fellows, and healthcare professionals who aim to advance their clinical and surgical knowledge in spine care while learning in one of Istanbul’s leading medical training environments.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Duration: 1, month - 3 months – 6 months - 12 months(1 year)
Instructor: Prof Çağatay Öztürk, MD
Location: Multiple locations - AO Spine Training centers (Central Hospital Etiler, Acibadem Hospital Taksim), Istanbul - Turkiye
Fellows work closely with leading surgeons and faculty from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, gaining hands-on experience in treating a wide range of spinal conditions affecting the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.
Conditions Treated:
✔ Degenerative spinal conditions
✔ Spinal deformity (e.g., scoliosis, kyphosis)
✔ Complex revision surgical pathology
✔ Oncologic conditions of the spine
✔ Traumatic spinal injuries
✔ Spinal infections
As a Fellow, You Will:
🔹 Gain exposure to the full spectrum of spine surgery, from minimally invasive to complex procedures.
🔹 Actively participate in the operative and post-operative management of spine patients.
🔹 Lead academic discussions, including conferences and journal clubs.
🔹 Engage in cutting-edge research and collaborative scientific meetings.
🔹 Mentor and educate residents and medical students, contributing to the next generation of spine specialists.
Clinic
Your time in the clinic provides a well-rounded experience, offering exposure to the clinical evaluation and management of a wide range of spinal conditions, from degenerative diseases to traumatic injuries.
As a fellow, you will spend one day per week in the clinic, working closely with attending surgeons to assess and manage patients. This hands-on experience enhances your ability to make informed clinical decisions, ensuring you develop a deep understanding of surgical indications and patient selection.
A strong emphasis is placed on training fellows to accurately evaluate cases, determine the necessity of surgical intervention, and explore conservative treatment options when appropriate. This balanced approach prepares you for excellence in both clinical and surgical spine care.
Surgical Experience
In the operating room, you will work directly with our expert spine surgeons, gaining strong foundational training and exposure to advanced surgical techniques. With three to four days per week in surgery, you will actively participate in a wide range of spine procedures, refining your technical skills and decision-making abilities.
Techniques You Will Learn:
✔ Anterior, lateral, and posterior surgical approaches – from the skull to the sacrum
✔ Decompression procedures to relieve spinal nerve pressure
✔ Spinal instrumentation and fusion techniques
✔ Scoliosis correction surgery
✔ Endoscopic spine surgery for minimally invasive treatment
✔ Minimally invasive techniques to reduce recovery time and improve outcomes
✔ Motion-preserving surgery, including artificial disc replacement
✔ Osteotomies for spinal deformity correction
✔ En-bloc spondylectomy for primary bone tumors of the spine
Research Program
As a spine fellow, you will be expected to complete at least one manuscript suitable for publication by the end of your fellowship. However, highly motivated fellows will have the opportunity to engage in multiple research projects, contributing to advancements in spinal surgery and patient care.
Leadership Development
As a spine fellow, you will be appointed as a junior faculty member or instructor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. This role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to medical education and training, allowing you to:
✔ Teach and mentor orthopaedic residents and medical students.
✔ Lead case discussions, clinical rounds, and hands-on training sessions.
✔ Enhance your academic profile by engaging in structured teaching activities.
✔ Develop leadership and communication skills essential for a career in academic medicine.
CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS
As a spine fellow, you will engage in a rigorous schedule of conferences and workshops designed to enhance your clinical knowledge, surgical skills, and research expertise.
Structured Academic Activities:
✔ Weekly, bimonthly, and monthly conferences covering the latest advancements in spine surgery.
✔ Hands-on workshops focusing on cutting-edge surgical techniques and innovations.
✔ Interdisciplinary case discussions with experts from neurosurgery, pediatric orthopaedics, and other related specialties to gain a comprehensive understanding of complex spinal conditions.
✔ Opportunities to present research findings and participate in journal clubs.
Surgical Indications Conference once per week, Fridays at 17.00.Fellows and faculty discuss patient cases.
Quarterly Journal Club(Time, Day, Week or Month)The Spine Journal Club meets quarterly with fellows and faculty from orthopedics and neurosurgery to present and discuss interesting cases.