In-Congress Workshop

7 May 2027 (Friday)

Venue Meeting Room 8-9, Borneo Convention Centre Kuching
Date 7 May 2027 (Friday)
Time 08:00 – 10:00
Capacity 15 pax
Course Description

This practical workshop is designed for anaesthesiologists, neuroanaesthesiologists and trainees interested in regional anaesthesia techniques relevant to cranial and spine surgery.

The course will provide a focused review of the sonoanatomy, indications, technical approaches, and safety considerations for regional blocks commonly used in neuroanaesthesia, including scalp block, erector spinae plane block, thoracolumbar interfascial plane block, cervical plexus block and ultrasound-guided greater occipital nerve block.

With a 1:5 faculty-to-participant ratio, participants will have plenty of hands-on experience and discussion regarding ultrasound image optimization, needle trajectory, block selection based on surgical approach and avoidance of complications. The workshop will combine brief didactic teaching with live scanning, image interpretation and plenty of hands-on practice.
Objectives By the conclusion of this workshop, participants should be able to:

  1. Describe the relevant anatomy, sonoanatomy and indications for regional blocks used in neuroanaesthesia, including scalp block, erector spinae plane block (ESPB), thoracolumbar interfascial plane (TLIP) block, intermediate cervical plexus block (ICPB) and greater occipital nerve (GON) block.
  2. Demonstrate safe ultrasound-guided techniques, including image optimization, needle trajectory and recognition of appropriate local anaesthetic spread.
  3. Apply block selection to common cranial and spine surgical approaches while recognizing potential complications and strategies to improve safety.
Target Participants
  • Anaesthesiologists
  • Medical officers and postgraduate trainees in anaesthesiology
Course Director and Faculty Kan Ma (Canada)
Faculty Maizatulhikma Md Miskan (Malaysia)
Michael Dinsmore (Canada)
Registration Complimentary registration is open to Main Conference delegates, subject to availability and on a first-come, first-served basis.
Programme
Time Agenda Speaker
08:00 – 08:05
Welcome Address and Course Introduction
• Brief introductory overview of station objectives, participant flow and expected learning outcomes before splitting into groups 		Kan Ma
08:05 – 08:40 Station 1 – Scalp block Maizatulhikma Md Mikan
08:40 – 09:15 Station 2 – ESPB + TLIP block Michael Dinsmore
09:15 – 09:50 Station 3 – ICPB + US-guided GON block Kan Ma
09:50 – 10:00
Questions & Answers
Closing remarks
 Kan Ma
Maizatulhikma Md Mikan
Michael Dinsmore

Venue Meeting Room 8-9, Borneo Convention Centre Kuching
Date 7 May 2027 (Friday)
Time 10:45 – 12:45
Capacity 20 pax
Course Description

Practical Primer to Intraoperative Neuromonitoring is a hands-on introductory workshop designed to provide anaesthesiologists with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills required to support intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) during neurosurgical and spine procedures. Through concise lecturettes, case-based discussions, and interactive demonstrations, participants will gain an understanding of common neuromonitoring modalities, anaesthetic considerations, troubleshooting strategies, and effective communication with the surgical and neurophysiology teams. The workshop emphasises practical approaches that can be readily applied in daily clinical practice, regardless of prior experience with IONM.

Beyond introducing the core principles of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM), this workshop aims to provide participants with an appreciation of the scope and clinical impact of this evolving field. It is intended as a foundation for those who wish to pursue further learning in IONM, while also equipping anaesthesiologists with a better understanding of how anaesthetic techniques and physiological management influence neuromonitoring and, ultimately, surgical decision-making and patient outcomes.
Objectives By the conclusion of this workshop, participants should be able to:

  1. Describe the principles and clinical applications of commonly used intraoperative neuromonitoring modalities, including somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs), motor evoked potentials (MEPs), electromyography (EMG), and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs).
  2. Discuss the effects of anaesthetic agents and physiological variables on neuromonitoring signals and apply appropriate anaesthetic strategies to optimise monitoring quality.
  3. Recognise common causes of neuromonitoring signal changes, implement systematic troubleshooting, and communicate effectively with the surgical and neurophysiology teams to facilitate timely intraoperative decision-making.
Target Participants
  • Anaesthesiologists and neuroanaesthesiologists
  • Medical officers and postgraduate trainees in anaesthesiology
  • Fellows in neuroanaesthesia and neurocritical care
  • Trainee neurosurgeons and orthopaedic spine surgeons
Course Director and Faculty Jessie Ly (Australia)
Faculty Jeyaganesh S. Veerakumaran (Malaysia)
Matthew Tak Vai Chan (China, Hong Kong)
Masahiko Kawaguchi (Japan)
Registration Complimentary registration is open to Main Conference delegates, subject to availability and on a first-come, first-served basis.
Programme
Time Agenda Speaker
10:45 – 10:50 Welcome Address and Course Introduction Jessie Ly
10:50 – 11:10
Fundamentals of intraoperative neuromonitoring: modalities and clinical applications
– Basic principles
– Somatosensory evoked potentials
– Motor evoked potentials
– Electromyography
– Brainstem auditory evoked potentials 		Jeyaganesh S. Veerakumaran
11:10 – 11:30
Anaesthetic management for optimal intraoperative neuromonitoring
– Physiological factors
– Pharmacological factors 		Masahiko Kawaguchi
11:30 – 11:50
Interpretation of signal changes and troubleshooting
– What constitutes an IONM alert?
– A systematic approach to determining the cause 		Matthew Tak Vai Chan
11:50 – 12:35
Interactive case-based workshop: practical scenarios and troubleshooting exercises
– Case 1: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
– Case 2: Thoracic scoliosis correction
– Case 3: Vestibular schwannoma resection
– Case 4: Carotid endarterectomy 		Jessie Ly
12:35 – 12:45
Summary and take-home messages
Q&A
 Jessie Ly

Venue Meeting Room 8-9, Borneo Convention Centre Kuching
Date 7 May 2027 (Friday)
Time 14:00 – 15:30
Capacity 15 pax
Course Description

This workshop focuses on the practical use of ultrasound for scalp block, with particular attention to scalp innervation and the relationship between ultrasound findings and conventional surface landmarks.

Two short lectures will introduce the anatomical basis of scalp block, compare ultrasound-guided and landmark techniques, and address technique selection, clinical indications and safety considerations.

Participants will then work in small groups at two faculty-led stations covering the anterior and lateral scalp, and the posterior scalp. During supervised scanning, participants will identify anatomical landmarks, practise probe handling and plan block approaches. Faculty will discuss how participants can use ultrasound findings to inform their procedural planning.

A concluding case-based discussion will bring together anatomical knowledge, technique selection and safety planning in a clinical scenario.
Objectives By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:

  1. Map the sensory innervation of the scalp and relate the target nerves to surface and ultrasound landmarks.
  2. Compare ultrasound-guided and landmark-based approaches to scalp block, including their practical limitations.
  3. Acquire and interpret ultrasound views relevant to anterior, lateral and posterior scalp block.
  4. Plan a block approach using the identified anatomy, intended area of coverage and relevant safety considerations.
  5. Discuss the choice and conduct of scalp block within a case-based perioperative plan.
Target Participants
  • Anaesthesiologists with an interest in neuroanaesthesia and regional anaesthesia
  • Medical officers and postgraduate trainees in anaesthesiology
Faculty Samuel Ern Hung Tsan (Malaysia)
Ting Mei Sze (Malaysia)
Registration Complimentary registration is open to Main Conference delegates, subject to availability and on a first-come, first-served basis.
Programme
Time Agenda Speaker
14:00 – 14:05 Introduction: Workshop aims, participant grouping and scanning arrangements Samuel Ern Hung Tsan
Ting Mei Sze
14:05 – 14:20 Anatomy of scalp innervation and comparison with landmark techniques Samuel Ern Hung Tsan
14:20 – 14:35 Ultrasound technique, clinical indications and safety considerations Ting Mei Sze
14:35 – 14:55 Skill Station: Anterior and lateral scalp scanning, anatomical landmarks and approach planning Samuel Ern Hung Tsan
Ting Mei Sze
14:55 – 15:15 Skill Station: Posterior scalp scanning, anatomical landmarks and approach planning Samuel Ern Hung Tsan
Ting Mei Sze
15:15 – 15:30 Case-based discussion, questions and answers Samuel Ern Hung Tsan
Ting Mei Sze