Welcome Message

It is my great honor and privilege to invite to you to the 14th International Society of Intraoperative Neurophysiology educational course in Kyoto, Japan from November 24th to 26th 2025. I am Takanori Saito from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Kansai Medical University. I cordially welcome you on behalf of the local organizing committee of the meeting. We’ve been preparing the event as an active communication and learning of both standardized and cutting edge innovative technology of intraoperative neuromonitoring for researchers from all over the world.

Intraoperative neuromonitoring using spinal cord stimulation – spinal cord recording was developed in Japan by Doctors Kurokawa, Shimoji and Tamaki in 1975. That technique was applied to practical clinical use after many animal experiments. Then, intraoperative monitoring using somatosensory evoked potential was introduced from the western countries. Finally intraoperative motor evoked potential monitoring using transcranial electrical stimulation-muscle recording, which had been a long-awaited technique, was developed, and is now widely used. The Japanese Society of Clinical Neurophysiology has been taking the initiative on intraoperative monitoring in Japan. Multidisciplinary researchers such as orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, otolaryngologists, and clinical laboratory technicians are involved in this field. Intraoperative neurospinal monitoring committee was inaugurated in the Japanese Society of Clinical Neurophysiology 9 years ago, and actively standardize and equalize the quality of intraoperative neuromonitoring by holding seminars, making guidelines and establishing a board certification system. Together with the ISIN educational course, the 47th annual meeting of Japanese society for study of spinal cord function and the 7th Congress of Asian Oceanian Society of Intraoperative Neurophysiology is held on 22nd Saturday and 23rd Sunday. And a special symposium on cortico-cortical evoked potential is planed after the educational course on 26th Wednesday. You can wrap up the latest topics on intraoperative neuromonitoring through these events ‘IOM summit’. It will be my great pleasure if many researchers join this meeting, exchange hot debate about intraoperative monitoring and enjoy beautiful Kyoto.

Late November is the best season to visit Kyoto, ancient capital of Japan, where many temples and shrines are colored with red and yellow leaves. I’m sure you can enjoy wonderful scenery. I’m looking forward to meeting with you in Kyoto.

Takanori Saito
Chair
ISIN educational Course 2025 in Kyoto

Also from the side of the International Society of Intraoperative Neurophysiology (ISIN), it is our great pleasure to invite you to register and attend the ISIN educational course hosted in Kyoto. Our objective is to pursue the international advancement of excellence in intra- and perioperative Neurophysiology, to advance standards of care for patients undergoing surgical procedures associated with risk of neurological injury and to advance standards of education for professionals involved in Intraoperative Neurophysiology. The educational commitment of ISIN, leads the society to run a 3 years cycle of educational courses to cover all structures of neuromonitoring (I) brain surgery, (II) brainstem and scull base surgery, (III) spine and spinal cord.

The present course in Kyoto focusing on monitoring and mapping of supratentorial surgeries provides a unique opportunity to deepen the knowledge in those procedures. The program covers basic intraoperative neurophysiological techniques as well as advanced new approaches, and puts all those in the surgical context. A balanced program compiles of educative lectures and case discussions, completed by small discussion groups on several topics.

The course is open to beginners as well as advanced performers of intraoperative neurophysiology. As we are a truly interdisciplinary society, we are open to all specialties and backgrounds related to the field of IONM. This year, there is the first time, the opportunity for reduced registration fees for participants of low-income countries. More information on how to apply for one of the limited spots is found on this webpage.

We are grateful to the commitment of our local hosts for a wonderful organization. We are looking forward seeing you all in Kyoto for an interactive educational event!