ACNS & AWNA

Contents:

	1. Message to 4th ACNS
	Tetsuo Kanno, MD Yoko Kato, MD Prof. W.S. Poon Iftikhar Ali Raja, MD Prof. B. Ramamurtchi Prof. A. El Khamlichi

	2. Founder

	3. Minutes of the Executive committee meeting

1. Message to 4th ACNS

The 4th ACNS Meeting

Prof. Tetsuo Kanno

　
　 The 4th ACNS meeting was held in Hongkong at the end of November 2002 under the able leadership of Dr Samuel Long and Dr Wai Poon. It was held at a magnificient hotel resort with scenic surroundings. The venue of the conference had all the facilities for an International conferece of this magnitude. The meeting was a huge success with more than 450 delegates participating.I beleive that the number of participants are gradually increasing as we move on.

This time we were honoured by the presence of many distinguished guests from all over the world such as Prof Yasergil's(US), Prof Alan Crockard(UK), Prof Ciurea (Romania), Prof Wild(Germany) and Prof Peter M Black(US).

We were fortunate to listen to Prof Ysergil`s lectures which reflected his active energetic and enthusiastic approach to life. I can not beleive that he is 77 years old. He had a hectic schedule with many lectures and video presentations encompassing his vast experience and philosophical insight. We were truly impressed by this.

The 5th ACNS meeting will be held in Indonesia in 2004. I am sure that in the coming years ACNS will reach greater heights.

4th ACNS, Hong Kong: An Impression

Dr.Yoko Kato

Associate Professor
Dept. of Neurosurgery
Fujita Health University
Japan

　First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Dr. Samuel Leung, Prof. Wai Poon and his enthusiastic teem for their painstaking hard work to make this conference a grand success one. I will also appreciate my greetings to Dr.Dawson Fong and Miss Anthea Luk for their excellent coordination and management before and during the conference. I will also thank all the participating delegates and speakers for their valuable presence and admiring work in the field of neurosurgery that they projected to delegates through this conference. The marveless exhibition of hospitality by all the organizing members during the conference had added more stars to the conference. Each session the conference was eye-catching and hope would have enlighten the present knowledge in neurosurgery of all the delegates I would like to highlight the important things, which happened for the first time in the ACNS conference:

The inclusions of registration fee for the delegates will little bit reduces the economic burden on the organizers for their expenditure.

More than 450 delegates participated in the conference to make this congress alive. The no. of participants was more than 3rd ACNS at Nagoya, Japan and hope will again increase in Indonesia.

The participation of some of neurosurgeons from countries like Iran, United Arab Emirates, etc happened for the first time and would be encouraging to their own colleagues, which will strengthen the ACNS further

For the first time the participation of delegates from outside Asia was in healthy number and hope will increase further in the forthcoming meetings

The academic achievements in the form of papers, poster presentations and video sessions in this conference were also high.

The introduction of Asian Neurosurgery Booklet will let us know `Who is Who` and help in developing mutual relationship

Hope all these achievements in the 4th ACNS will guide and help the organizers of 5th ACNS in Jakarta, Indonesia to make the congress successful both socially and academically.

HONG KONG - Chinese University of Hong Kong

Prof. W.S. Poon（Scientific Programme Chairman 4th ACNS）

　"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the 417 full time participants and 71 local day-registrants from 32 countries and regions for their 5-day of total involvement of the tightly packed educational programmes. We are grateful to our international, Asian and young neurosurgeon speakers for their quality educational presentations and their excellent time management. This conference is tailor-made for young neurosurgeons in Asia and we are pleased to witness our accomplished colleagues to be confidently involved in the discussion of challenging neurosurgical issues. We are looking forward to be participating in the 5th ACNS in Indonesia, in January 2004."

A Brief description of 4th ACNS

Iftikhar Ali Raja, MD

　It was a new experience, a good meting and a great academic venture. The meeting was extremely well organized. Inviting great teachers like Prof. Ghazi Yasargil, Prof. Allen Crokered, Prof. Peter Black, Prof. Landols, and Dr. Gail Rosseau was a good idea which added flavour to the conference. Participants, especially young neurosurgeons were really happy to meet the historic figures like Prof. Yasargil, and admired Prof. W. S. Poon, Prof. Fong and Prof. S. Leung and their team for putting together such a wonderful meeting. This was the first time that the meeting of ACNS was being held outside Japan and the organizers had a great responsibility, which they shouldered in a successful way. However I would like to mention in this brief note a few suggestions that were being discussed by some participants.

THE FORMAT OF THE MEETING
　 Initially ACNS conference was more of an educational course for the young neurosurgeons especially from the developing countries of Asia. The meeting was held in one room and the participants were able to benefit from all the educational deliberations. The past two meeting however are like other meetings with lectures being delivered simultaneously in different halls, which meant that the participants have to select the session of their choice. This was being mentioned as a handicap, especially if two lectures of interest are being delivered at the same time in two different halls. One has to think whether we should revert back to the original format or carry on, the way it is now.

COMPETITION ARTICLES
　This time a new tradition has been started by the organizers to gibe three awards to the best papers during lunchtime. There are two suggestions in this regard.
a The information about these competition articles carrying the prize should be widely advertised.
b The participants for these awards should only be the residents and not the people with higher ranks like Assistant professors, Associate professors or Professors.

NOMINATION OF THE DELEGATES
　 This needs to be worked out so that the delegates in future should know whom to contact in their own county in this regards. This was also discussed in the meeting of the ACNS that the senior teachers, President of the society, Founder members etc. are the one who should nominate the delegates. These delegates should be ones who have completed their training or should be in the last year of their training and would not be repeating their visit on supportive basis.

IMPRESSIONS ABOUT THE FOURTH AISAN CONGRESS OF NEUROLOGICAL SURGEONS HELD AT HONGKONG IN NOV.2002.

Prof. B.Ramamurthi

　Just one statement that the 'fourth Asian Congress was a tremendous success' will summarize the entire impression of the Conference. Prior to the Congress, the Organizers had to make enormous efforts to make it equal or better than the previous Congresses, which had been held in Japan so far.

　This was the first time that the Asian Congress of Neurological Surgery was held outside Japan. Conceived as the brain child of Prof Tetsuo Kanno and ably supported by senior professors like Prof.Hashi and helped by Professors like Yoko Kato, the first three Asian Congresses were tremendous successes. The hospitality provided, and the care bestowed on the delegates was unsurpassed. The scientific content of the programme was so good that the delegates were happy to go on working from early morning till late in the night. And these conferences became the envy of other similar congresses elsewhere.

　With this background, it was indeed a very difficult task for the new organizers to organize a Congress, which can at least equal the earlier three. The brave neurosurgeons of Hong Kong rose up to the task and boldly agreed to conduct the 4th ACNS in Hong Kong. Luckily in this task they got the full cooperation of the senior neurosurgeons of Hong Kong and Professors Tetsuo Kanno and Yako Kato lent their full help, weight and support for the Organizers in Hong Kong. All difficulties were over come with hard work and effort, all anxieties gradually dispelled and the Fourth Congress had a brilliant start with the evening reception held at the Gold Coast Hotel. The following four days were feasts of science. The special feature was that the programme and the papers were tailored to help the young neurosurgeons hailing from the developing countries of South Asia. Most topical subjects were covered and the latest techniques discussed.

　It must be emphasized here that the papers were not about sophisticated gadgetry but mostly about how the young neurosurgeons of Asia can tackle the neurosurgical problems of Asia boldly and confidentially as they arise. Special emphasis was laid on the training of women neurosurgeons of Asia and the difficulties faced and the opportunities available for them. The intellectual contact amongst so many young enthusiastic Asian Neurosurgeons, under the guidance of their experienced seniors was most inspiring and specially for me this was the most exciting part. .Many more interesting details could be given about the various scientific discussions, but this paper will become too long. One important area specially covered and of interest to Asian Neurosurgeons was that of Appropriate Technology a session well appreciated.

　One should also emphasise the presence of foreign friends from Europe and the United States, who could present to us their latest experience on many different topics.

　On the gastronomic side, one can only complain that there were so many delectable items of food available all the time, that the delegates did not have big enough stomachs. From breakfast to dinner, it was all a gastronomic delight and the hospitality overwhelming. One can write without in any way offending our previous Japanese hosts, that the Hong Kong group presented a conference excellent in all aspects, and have made it difficult for Dr,Eka the next president to emulate.

　The official meeting of the delegates went off smoothly and many new members admitted.. For various important reasons, the term Conference was opted for instead of Congress. We have to thank, Iftikar Ali Raja, Yako Kato and Tetsuo Kanno for providing the continuous life thread for the proceedings of the official meetings. From the above account you can see what a pleasure it has been for me to write about the Fourth Asian Congress of Neurological Surgery. I am sure the Fifth Congress under Prof Eka will try and surpass the previous ones.

Message to the 4th ACNS

Prof. A. El Khamlichi
Congress President

　It was a great pleasure and an honour to attend the 4th Asian Conference of Neurological Surgeons organised in Hong Kong on the 26-30 November 2002. It was the first time that I attended this conference and a precious opportunity for me to meet my Asian colleagues and to make new friends.

　The scientific program included numerous topics of neurosurgery.The planning of the sessions started with a discussion of clinical cases in the morning followed by different symposiums, luncheon seminars and free paper and video sessions. This schedule was oriented to benefit the young neurosurgeons, as the first goal of the conference was to educate young neurosurgeons of the Asian continent. I think that this worthy objective designed by the founders of the conference was reached.

　I would like to congratulate in particular Prof. Tetsuo Kanno, the organisers of the conference, Prof. W. S. Poon and all of my Asian colleagues for supporting and developing these conferences. All of the people mentioned should be proud of the job they are doing in the development of neurosurgery in Asia and the betterment of the treatment of their patients.

　Once again congratulations to all. I hope that one day the African continent will be able to follow your lead and organise the African Conference of Neurosurgery with the goal of educating young neurosurgeons.

2. Founder

1	Rashiduddin Ahmad, MD	Bangladeshi Society of Neurosciences	BANGLADESH
2	B. Ramamurthi, MD	V.H.S Medical Center	INDIA
3	KEKI.E.TUREL, MD	Bombay Hospital	INDIA
4	Mahadeva Sambasivan, MD	Cosmopolitan Hospitals	INDIA
5	P.S.Ramani, MD	L.T.M. Medical College and Hospital	INDIA
6	S.N. Bhagwati, MD	Bombay Hospital Institute	INDIA
7	A.K.MAHAPATRA, MD	All India Institute of Medical Sciences
8	Umar Kasan, MD	Dr. Soetomo Hospital	INDONEISA
9	Beny Atmadja Wirjomartani, MD	Padjadjaran Univeristy	INDONEISA
10	Satyanegara, MD	Siloam Gleheagles Hospital	INDONEISA
11	Wiriadisastra Kahdar, MD	Hasan Sadikin Hospital	INDONEISA
12	Kintomo TAKAKURA, MD	Tokyo Women's Medical College	JAPAN
13	Masashi FUKUI, MD	Sasebo Kyosei Hospital	JAPAN
14	Tomio OHTA, MD	Tominaga Hospital	JAPAN
15	Tomokatsu HORI, MD	Tokyo Women's Medical University	JAPAN
16	Toru HAYAKAWA, MD	Kansai Rosai Hospital	JAPAN
17	Kazuo HASHI, MD	Shinsapporo Neurosurgical Hospital	JAPAN
18	Tetsuo KANNO, MD	Fujita Health University	JAPAN
19	Dae Hee Han, MD	Seoul National University	KOREA
20	Jae Hong Sim, MD	Inje University	KOREA
21	Kil Soo Choi, MD	Seoul National University Hospital	KOREA
22	Kyu-Chang Lee, MD	Yonsei University	KOREA
23	V.VENUGOPAL, MD	Noria Medical Centre	MALAYSIA
24	Wang Chung-cheng, MD	Beijing Neurosurgical Institute	P.R. CHINA
25	Ya-du Zhao, MD	Beijing Neurosurgical Institute	P.R. CHINA
26	Wai S. Poon, MD	Prince of Wales Hospital	P.R. CHINA
27	Shuyan Yang, MD	Dept. of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University	P.R. CHINA
28	Aizaz Ali Shah, MD	Peshwar Medical Centre	PAKISTAN
29	Bashir Ahmad, MD	King Edward Medical College	PAKISTAN
30	Iftikhar Ali Raja, MD	King Edward Medical College	PAKISTAN
31	Renato Quines Sibayan, MD	U.S.T.Hospital, Makati Medical Center	PHILIPPINES
32	Romeo G. Gustilo, MD	Makati Medical Center	PHILIPPINES
33	Ong Peck Leong, MD	Tan Tock Seng Hospital	SINGAPORE
34	Lal Gunasekera, MD	National Hospital of Sri Lanka	SRI LANKA
35	Chun-Jen Shih, MD		TAIWAN
36	Hung C.H, MD	Tung's General Hospital	TAIWAN
37	Yong-Kwang Tu, MD	National Taiwan University	TAIWAN
38	Nguyen Thuong Xuan, MD	Viet Duc Hospital	VIETNAM

　4th vice presidents

1	Kanak Kanti Barua, MD	Banga Bandhu Sk. Mujib Medical University	BANGLADESH
2	V.K.Jain, MD	Sanjay Ghandi	INDIA
3	B.K.Misra, MD	P.D.Hinduja National Hospital & Medical Research Centre	INDIA
4	Eka J. Wahjoepramono, MD	Trisakti University Siloam Gleneagles Hospital	INDONESIA
5	Kazumasa Ehara, MD	Kobe Universtiy School of Medicine	Japan
6	Do-Heum Yoon, MD	Yonsei University: Degree of Doctor of Nedical Science	Korea
7	Jing Guo, MD	China-Japan Freindship Hospital	P.R. CHINA
8	Weiguo ZHAO , MD	Rui Jin Hospital	P.R. CHINA
9	Anjum Habib Vohra, MD	King Edward Medical College Lahore	PAKISTAN
10	Samina Kazi, MD	Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences	PAKISTAN
11	Chun-Jen Shih, MD		TAIWAN

Minutes of the Executive committee meeting
4th ACNS, Hong Kong, 27/11/02

Meeting was chaired by Dr.Iftikar Ali Raja, with Dr.S.N.Bagawati, Dr.B.Ramamurti, Dr.Samuel Leung, Dr.Tetsuo Kanno, Dr.Yoko Kato, and Dr.Wai S. Poon and Dr Choi on the dais.

Meeting was attended by 31 members of the executive committee from 14 countries.

1 and 2

The meeting was called to order by Dr.Iftikar Ali Raja.

Dr.Samuel Leung and Dr.W.S.Poon were invited to give their report on the organisation of the 4th ACNS. Dr. Leung thanked the team of organizers and the sponsors. He confirmed that there were more than 400 delegates registered for the conference and more than 120 of them were sponsored by the organizing committee. He also said that for the first time delegates from Europe and Russia have participated.

Dr.W.S.Poon thanked the organizing team. Dr.I.A.Raja thanked the organizers for holding the 4th ACNS at Hong Kong, the first outside Japan. Standing ovation was given to Dr.Samuel leung and Dr.Wai S.Poon by the members.

Dr.Yoko Kato was asked to read the report of the 3rd ACNS held at Nagoya in 2000. She thanked all members for their cooperation. She confirmed participation of more than 300 delegates from 29 countries. She announced that there were no sponsors and the entire budget was raised by the organizing committee. She also announced that the AWNA meeting held simultaneously was attended by several Asian, and two lady Neurosurgeons from the USA. She also congratulated the organizers of the 4th ACNS.

All the members reaffirmed the present aims and objectives of the ACNS. No new goals were proposed.

The charter of ACNS (Annexure 1) was then introduced for comments by the members. Dr. I.A.Raja opined that the charter although being small was flexible and can be updated with the passage of time. He also said that the charter would be effective from Nov. 1997 when the inaugural meeting of ACNS was held in Islamabad,Pakistan.. Dr.S.N.Bagawati raised queries about elections to the post of President mentioned in Articles 10 & 11. These are to be discussed later as advised by Prof. T.Kanno.

Dr.I.A.Raja invited proposals and nominations for the posts of Vice-President for the 5th ACNS. 21 Vice-Presidents from 17 countries were nominated and elected for the 5th ACNS. (Details in Annexure 2). Dr. Tu wanted to have some guidelines regarding the number of Vice-Presidents from a country, and the number of terms the Vice President can hold office. Dr A.K.Mahapatra opined that the number of vice presidents should be decided according to the requirement of the countries and aims and objectives of the ACNS should be spread far and wide This was also agreed to by Dr.I.A.Raja, who also requested names for Vice-Presidents to be nominated from new countries. Dr.Kanno said that the system should be flexible which can accommodate any number of Vice-Presidents, as per need.. Dr.Kato wanted active participation and useful contribution by the newly elected Vice-Presidents to the President of the 5th ACNS. Dr.Turel wanted the office bearers of the ACNS to communicate with all Asian countries, especially west Asia and Middle East, and asked for active participation from them. He volunteered to give addresses and details of Neurosurgeons from the Middle East countries. Dr.Poon invited Australia to become part of the ACNS. Dr.Leigh Atkinson thanked and accepted the offer. He said that over 100 Neurosurgeons in Australia would be glad to join the ACNS as their Journal of Clinical Neurosciences already attracts active participation from Asian countries. Dr.Atkinson proposed Dr.Bruce Hall for the post of Vice-President for the 5th ACNS, from Australia.

Nominations were invited for the post of Executive committee members, as some of them have become Vice-Presidents. From India, Dr. B.Ramamurti nominated Dr. K. Sridhar, and Dr. Mahapatra nominated Dr.Deepu Bannerji. Dr. Arun Kumar nominated Dr. Jayakumar. Dr. Rashiduddin nominated Dr.Mainul Haque Sarker as new Executive committee member from Bangladesh. Dr.Weiguo Zhao nominated Dr. Lan Qing and Dr.Zhang Xiang from the P.R of China. Dr. Myat Thu was nominated as the new executive committee member from Myanmar. Dr. Kanno nominated Dr. Xu Ru Xiang and Dr. Wang Xiangyu from P. R. China, and Dr. Kazumasa Ehara as new executive committee members. Dr Vohra proposed the names of Dr K.Abbasi and Dr Tariq Safi from Pakistan.Dr Tu proposed the names of Dr.Chen- Nen Chang,Dr tai-Tong Wong, Dr David Hong-Chi Pan and Yang-Hsin Shih, MD as the new members of the EC from Taiwan. All the new nominations were agreed upon.

Dr.I.A.Raja invited Dr.Eka from Indonesia who had bid for conducting the 5th ACNS to make a presentation about his proposal and name the treasurer and secretary for the 5th ACNS. Dr.Eka thanked all members for the opportunity and trust. He requested all members to support him organize the 5th ACNS. He promised to sponsor about 160 young Neurosurgeons by way of grants for travel and accommodation as well as some Senior Neurosurgeons who will be invited speakers. He also proposed to hold preconference workshops in various sub-specialities including Skull Base, Plastic and Reconstructive surgery, Endovascular surgery, etc. He proposed to hold the meeting between 12th and 16th January 2004 at Jakarta. Dr.Eka promised to communicate the names of the secretary and treasurer of the 5th ACNS.

Dr.Kato wanted the 1st announcement brochure to be distributed during the 4th ACNS. Dr.Eka also announced a cadaver dissection workshop to be conducted in Jan 2003 for trainees and young Neurosurgeons at Jakarta. Dr.I.A.Raja congratulated Dr.Eka and wished him luck in holding the 5th ACNS and invited nominations for the 6th ACNS. Dr.B.K.Misra proposed India as venue and promised sponsorship for young Neurosurgeons and to hold workshops with the help of senior Neurosurgeons. Dr.Tu proposed Taiwan as the venue for the 6th ACNS. Dr. Anjum Habib Vohra proposed Pakistan as the venue. Dr. I.A.Raja and Dr. Kanno opined that a decision regarding the venue of 6th ACNS will be decided at a later date.

In view of some confusion regarding the name of ACNS, the name "Asian Congress of Neurological Surgeons" was proposed to be changed to "Asian Conference of Neurological Surgeons" as proposed in the 3rd ACNS at Nagoya.. Dr Kato clarified that the change was proposed in view of some unavoidable circumstances. After views from Dr.Mahapatra, Dr.Ramamurti, Dr.Leung, Dr.Kanno, Dr.Turel, Dr.Ramani and Dr.Gireesh, the proposal was accepted, and it was decided to continue the name of ACNS as "Asian Conference of Neurological Surgeons", for the next few years and it is hoped that the opposition forces will calm down, and the name of "Asian Congress of Neurological Surgeons" will be considered again.

10.

Dr.I.A.Raja invited suggestions from the participants for selection of delegates to be the sponsored for the 5th ACNS. Dr.Kanaka wanted powers of nomination to Executive committee members. Dr.Kanno sought opinion from Dr.Atkinson as he had experience with the WFNS and as sometimes recommendation from senior professors had signs of favoritism. Dr.I.A.Raja proposed that the (a) delegates must have 3-5 yrs experience in neurosurgery, preferably with a postgraduate qualification in neurosurgery. (b) It should be made sure that he is not being invited the second time. (c) It should also ask for a CV of the delegate. Dr.W.S.Poon opined that for the 5th ACNS following three criterias be followed - namely - senior Professor's nomination/ nomination by regional or national societies and individual requests. He also wanted criteria and a minimum 3-5 years experience in Neurosurgery. Dr. Mahapatra wanted list of beneficiaries to be passed on to the next President, to prevent re-nomination. Dr.Rashiduddin wanted recommendations from Professor's to be accompanied by C.V.'s of the candidates. Dr.Qazi wanted equal distribution of funds for sponsoring candidates from all countries. Dr.Kanno and Dr.Raja wanted candidates to bear at-least some cost (registration, part of travel or accommodation). This was also echoed by Dr.Eka.

12.

Lastly item on the agenda i.e co-operation between WFNS and ACNS was discussed. Dr.Atkinson promised to discuss about sponsoring instruments to countries which cannot afford at the WFNS meeting at Madrid in 2003. Dr.B.Ramamurti said ACNS should follow the example of WFNS in providing minimum essential kits for distribution to poor countries. Dr.Atkinson announced that a large number of kits are with the WFNS and Dr.Martin Rodriquez ,Secretary of WFNS, or Dr.Kobayashi ,Vice President Asia ,of WFNS,at Matsumoto, may be contacted for obtaining these kits after writing a request.

Dr.T.Kanno proposed entry of new countries such as N. Korea and Iraq as members of the ACNS in future, which was accepted by all.

Dr.I.A.Raja thanked all the members who attended the meeting, and the meeting of the "Asian Conference of Neurological Surgeons" was closed.