EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY

8th ANNUAL MEETING

10-13 SEPTEMBER 1997
KOS - HELLAS

2nd ANNOUNCEMENT and CALL FOR PAPERS

Executive Committe
President : J. Kramer, MD
Vice President: J. Dvorak, MD
Secretary : H.M. Mayer, MD
Treasurer : R. Gunzburg, MD
Assistant Treasurer: G:F.G. Findlay, FRCS
Executive Members : Ch. Greenough, MD, G. Ginotti, MD
Membership Committee: B. Rydevik, MD

Scientific Officers
H.M. Mayer
M. Szpalski

I 997 Programme Committee
M. Szpalski, Chairman
P. Gurgui
J. Herdmann
Local Organizing Committee
Congress President : Elias P. Velikas, MD
Membrs : D.S. Korns, MD, P.A. Efstathiou MD, V. Bessiris, MD

President’s Address
ELIAS P.VELIKAS, MD.18, Ipsilandou Str.106 76 Athens, Greece,Tel. : ++30 1 72 49 050,Fax : ++301 72 41ÏÏ3

Congress Secretariat
FREI SA Travel Congress
24, Nikis str.
105 57 Athens, Gråece
Tel. : ++30 1 33 l2 683-7
Fax : ++30 1 32 19 296
E-mail : frei@traveling.gr

Educational Committee
M. Sullivan, Chairman
H.M. Mayer
B. Stromqvist
P.F. van Akkerveeken
ESS Medal Committee
j. Kramer, Chairman
D. Chopin, P. van Akkerveeken

Collaboration Committee ESS/ESDS
j. Dvorak
G.F.G. Findlay
R. Gunzburg

European Spine Journal Sub Editor
R. Gunzburg

AcroMed Prize Committee
P. van Akkerveeken, Chairman
J. Fdez de Valderrama
R. Gunzburg

Administrative Seretariat
J. Reichert Schild
Seefeldstrasse I 6
CHB6IO Uster, Switzerland
Tel.: ++41 I 994 I4 04
Fax: ++41 I 994 14 03

WELCOME ADDRESS

Dear Colleagues,
In September I997, Greece welcomes all participants to meet and discuss all aspects of spinal diseases and rauma, in an inspiring environment of the Aegean Island of Kos.
For all of us, Kos is a symbol in the practice of medicine, as the birth place of Hippocrates. Additionally, it is an ideal alternative venue, which gives the opportunity to the participants to combine science, environment, archaeological sites and blue clear sea waters.

The Scientific Committee is making every effort to create and formulate an interesting and high standard scientific programme including lectures, plenary sessions, oral communications and posters presentation, on clinical and basic science studies.
The various social events organized in Kos, will give opportunity to reunite old friends while making new ones.

It is my great pleasure to invite you all to Kos and enjoy together the Congress and the natural beauty of the island.

E.Velikas, M.D.
Congress President

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

The scientific sessions will be held on topics covering all aspects of spine disease and trauma. Free papers concerning any aspect, including basic sciences, assessment,psychology, medical and surgical treatment are invited.

Abstrsts and Technica Information
The Scientific Committee welcomes the submission of abstracts of original contributions to the 8th Annual Meeting of the ESS. Abstracts must be submitted in English, as indicated in the abstract forn and mailed to :
ESS - Administrative Secretariat, J. Reichert Schild
Seefeldstrasse 16, CHB6IO Uster, Switzerland
Tel.:+41/1-99414 04/Fax:+41/1-94414 03
Abstracts will be accepted as oral or poster presentations.

Deadline for submission of abstracts : March 31,1997.

Posters
Posters should be prepared in advance and should be brought to the congress in person by the participants. The dimensions of the poster boards are 100 cm wide by 250 cm high. Posters should be 110 cm high by 90 cm wide. Posters should be legible from a distance of 1 - 2 meters. Therefore the title of your poster ( the same as that of the abstract ) should use letters 3-4 cm high. The names of the authors, institution, city and country should be
indicated by letters 2-3 cm high. Each author is kindly requested to be present during the poster session in which his/her poster will be displayed.

Audiovisuals
Overhead projector, double slide projection, standing and moving microphones will be provided. Slides must be 5 X 5 cm and be fitted in solid frames ( plastic or metal frames only ). Slide preview tnom will be available, wherå speakers must review their slides prior to presentation.Video : European VHS/PAL, to be pre-ordered on the abstract form.

The European Spine Society AcroMed Prize for Spinal Research 1997

To promote research on Spinal Disorders, AcroMed will again present a prize of DFL. 10.000 - at the 8th Annual Meeting of the European Spine Society in Kos, Greece, September IO-l3,1997. Applicants have to submit a full written paper in English, ready for publication, including figures and references, reporting an original study not
previously published nor submitted for publication elsewhere: Closing date : July 1 5, I 997
At least one of the authors of the winnirég paper has to present the paper personally at the Meeting in Kos. By applying, the authors agree to the publication of the paper in the European Spine journal under the heading of the AcroMed Prize for Spinal Research 1997, should they win the prize. Submitted papers are not automatically considered for the Programme Committee of the ESS Annual Meeting. They have to be submitted separately,
meeting the abstract guidelines. Original manuscripts with two copies are to be scnt to the:

Administrative Secretary of ESS
Mrs. j. Reichert Schild
Seefeldstrasså 16, CHB6IO Uster / Switzerland
Tel. +41/1-994 14 04, Fax + 41/1-994 14 03

AcroMed Prize Committee:
P. van Akkerveeken, Zeist, the Netherlands, Chairnôan: J.Fdez de Valderrama,Madrid, Spain, R Gjunzhurg, Antwerpen, Belium

GENERAL INFORMATION

Venue : Asclepios Convetion Center, Kipriotis Village Hotel, Kos, Hellas

Dates : Wednesday,September 10, I997 Saturday, September 13, I997. Please see the Programme Overview.
Language : English will be the official language of the meeting

Translation : There will be translations from English to Greek, only on Wednesday 10 September,1997, during Spinal Section's Meeting of H.A.O.S.T for those interested in participating.

Congress Secretariat : FREI S.A. Travel Congress-24, Nikis str,105 57 Athens, Greece- Tel. : ++30133 12 683 - 7 Fax : ++301 32 19 296 - E-mai1: frei@traveling.gr

Registration fee :
Until June 30,1997: ESS Members GRD 90.000,Non-members GRD 100.000

After July lst,1997: ESS Members GRD 100.000, Non-members GRD 120.000
Banquet GRD 15.000 per person
The fee includes prngramme, abstract book, certificate of attendance coffee breaks, admission to the Opening Ceremony and welcome reception, visit to Asclepeion and Hippárates Oath Ceremony.

Please note that reduced fees only apply,if both and payament are received by June 30 1997 to :

FREI S.A. Travel Con ress
24, Nikis str.,105 57 Greece

Tel. : ++301 33 I2 683-7 / Fax. : ++301 32 19 Z96
E-mail : frei@traveling.gr

Remittance of fees : The fees should be paid in Greek Drachmas (GRD), clearly stating name and address, either by bank transfer ( free of bank charges ) to FREI SA.
Credit Bank Filellinon Branch Syntagma Athens Greece
Account no.120 00232 0000 325
or by credit card Visa American Express Eurocaôd/Mastercard.

Confirmation : FREI S.A.Congress, handling all registrations and hotel reservations. Registration and reservation are definite only after the money payable is actually in the bank account. Written confirmation will
then be mailed by FREI S.A Travel Congress.

Cancellation :Refund of fees, less GRD 3.000 administrative charges, can be applied for cancellations received in writting,until July 30,1997. For cancellations received in writting August 20,1997,a 75% of the total will be refunded.
No refund will be possible after this date.However,a copy of an Astract Book will be mailed.

Accompanying Persons: Will not have to pay a registrahon fee.
Final Programme :A copy of the Finnal programme will be mailed to each registered your
partecipant prior to the meeting. Please bring your personal copy with you as there will be no additional copies.
Exhibition : An exhibition of the latest technical equipment,pharmaceutical and scientific products,scientific books and journals,will take place in the immediatc vicinity of the lecture rooms of the Meeting venue.
For information and receipt of the Exhibition manual,please contact Congress secretariat,FREI S.A. Congress

Registration desk/ Secretariat :
All documents will be handed over to the registered partecipants
during
Wednesday, September 10,1997, 07.30- 19.00
Thursday,September 11,1997, ñ7.30- 16.30
Friday, September 12,1997, 08.00- 13?00
Saturday, September 13,1997,08.00-13.00

Location :
Kos is the 3rd largest island in the Dodecanese group of islands. It covers an area of 290km and lies in the south east Aegean Sea. The Asia Minor coast,is only 3 miles far from the northern Kos, cape Scadario.
Kos ts a picturesque island with a beautiful climate, endless sea shores and sandy beaches.Here the old and modern are combined. Tradition history of thousand years natural beauties and historical monuments blend harmoniously with the full swing of today's life and make Kos an island offering many possibilities in sojourn,food,
sports,sightseeing,excursions and entertainment,a place to be enjoyed.

Hippocrates
History has done a favour to Kos,by making it the birth place of Hippocrates the Father of Medicine,the indefatigable medical genius.Hippocrates lived and worked in Asclepeion.The Temple and Healing Centre,having after more than 2000years in fairly good condition,are magnificently set on terraces levelled from a hillside,overlooking the main land of Asia Minor. Hippocrate's works are for ever memorialised through the
Hippocratic Corpus -the early western bible of medical practice. Its wealth of lore ranged from guidanceon cranial surgery and catarract operations to such minutiae as the faint noise,given of the chest when pleurisy was present. Theoretical and philosophical counsel was also offered by Hippocrates. The physician should consult his colleagues when in doubt; he had a duty to recoxd,with utter honesty,his failures as wel1 as successes in treatment.Above all,without love for mankind he could have no love for the art of healing.

Transportation:
By air : International Kos Airport, is linked to the main European cities with direct charter flights or scheduled flights via Athens and Rhodes.

By sea :Ferry - boats with regular schedules from /to Peraeus port well as internal service to Dodecanese islands is available.FREI S.A. travel is at your service in case you need futher information.

Transfers : From/to the airport can be arranged for groups and individuals Please contact FREI S.A. Travel - Congress.

Hotel - Accommodation : Accommodation in hotels of various price categories has been reserved in Kos.In order to ensure that your hotel reservvation will be made as required it is necessary to return the enclosed « Hotel Reservation Form" as early as possible, but no later than June 30,1997 to : FREI S.A. Travel Congress
24, Nikis str.,105 57 Greece / FaX. : ++301 32 19 296 Tel. : ++301 33 12 683-7
As Kos is an attractive destination, and September is a high season period,it is strongly recommended a one night deposit,is required. Payment for hotel reservation should be make by bank swift or credit card, as indicated in the attached reservation form. Upon receipt of the deposit, each participant will receive a confermation letter.
Full a ment has to be made to FRE|I S.A. Travel Congress,until August 1st,1997. Vouchers and receipt of payments will be mailed after this date Hotels request a minimum stay of 4 nights . Participants willing be applied, for stay longer, the reduced congress rates will be applied,for reservations and payments made through FREI Travel-Congress

Climate and clothing : The weather in September is usually warm.The average temperature is 25 - 30C
For this time of year light clothes, with a light overcoat or sweater for the evening are récommended. Swimming clothes are also recommended.

Tours and Excursions : The following tour's are organised for minimum participants 20, persons per tour. For other destinations please contact FREI S.A.
Rhodes: Full day boat trip to Rhodes, the island where archaeology Medieval history and modern life mix harmoniously. The walled city of Knights of St. John, thePalace of the Grand Masters, the old hospital, the streets of the knights, are Knights,are some of the attractions of this guided tour. prices per person : GRD 18.000
Patmos: Ful1 day boat trlp to the island of Patmos where St. John the Theologian is supposed to have received the Revelation. Guided Tour to the Monasteries. prices per person : GRD 15.000
Kalymnos: Boat trip to the island of Kalymnos very colourful and picturesque. Famous for the sponge divers. Visit of the sponge factory where the best natural sponges are produced. prices per person : GRD 9.000
Nissyros: Half day boat trip to the volcanic island, picturesque and nice visit to the Monastery of the Madona, built in the 15th Century inside the Venetian Castle. prices per person : GRD 10.000

Social Events
Wednesday, September 10, I997 19.00 Opening Ceremony
Kipriotis Village 20.00 Welcome Reception
Thursday, September 11,1997 Cultural Event at Kos town
Friday September 12,1997 17.15 Guided visit to Asclepeion, 18.30 Hippocratic Oath Ceremony, 20.30 Farewell Dinner ( Admission :CRD 15.000 per person)

The number of participants at the Farewell Dinner is limited. Reservations will be made on a first comes first serve basis.Please fill in with the number of persons, the enclosed registrations form and mail/fax to FREI S.A. Travel-Congress together with your payment where requested.

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