Paediatric Operative Neurosurgery (PONS) - Surgical and Technical Nuances

Aims and Course Ethos

Paediatric neurosurgery is a highly complex and demanding subspecialty encompassing a wide spectrum of pathologies across a diverse patient population spanning infancy through adolescence. The management of these children requires far more than surgical and technical excellence alone; it demands a robust foundation of knowledge and experience, coupled with the foresight and “four-dimensional” thinking in order to refine and optimise decision-making in these patients – arguably the most critical concept in achieving the very best outcomes. Every intervention must consider not only the child’s current condition, but also long-term impact on the developing brain enabling each child to achieve their maximum potential.  

This sophisticated fusion of skills is best developed through expertise gained in a high-volume surgical practice across the full breadth of subspecialist paediatric neurosurgical pathology. At Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, one of the largest dedicated paediatric neurosurgical centres in the world, we are uniquely positioned to draw on this depth and breadth of experience. 

This paediatric neurosurgery course is designed to tackle the complexities of this specialty with coverage of the entire gamut of paediatric neurosurgical practice ranging from subspecialist areas of Craniofacial Surgery, Neurovascular Surgery, Neuro-Oncology Surgery, Epilepsy Surgery and Spinal Neurosurgery, as well as General Paediatric Neurosurgery and Hydrocephalus. Through a combination of didactic lectures summarising the foundational knowledge, extensive interactive case discussions and detailed operative videos on all aspects paediatric neurosurgical pathology, our course places a strong emphasis on operative nuances and high-yield technical pearls, in order to empower the participants to progress towards achieving technical mastery in paediatric neurosurgery. 

Cycle 1 September 25th-27th 2026 - General Principles of Paediatric Neurosurgery, Neuro-oncology, Spine, Hydrocephalus

Cycle 2 September 2027 - Vascular, Craniofacial, Epilepsy, Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy

Faculty

Kristian Aquilina

Gregory James

Owase Jeelani

Dulanka Silva

Zubair Tahir

Martin Tisdall

Dominic Thompson

*This course is intended for consultant neurosurgeons and senior trainees in paediatric neurosurgery.
Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
By registering, you agree to the Terms & Conditions at the bottom of this page

FAQ'S

When will I receive the course programme and further details?

Detailed course information, including the programme structure, faculty and joining instructions, will be circulated to registered participants closer to the course date.

Can I apply for a scholarship?

Yes. The PONS Team are pleased to offer 6 scholarships to assist neurosurgeons from low- to middle-income countries in attending the cycle from September 25^th – September 27^th 2026, and to subsequently assist dissemination of knowledge obtained from this course amongst their colleagues locally. This scholarship aims to foster international collaboration, bidirectional learning and long-standing networks.

Sponsored by Gemini Untwined, the scholarship will consist of free in-person registration for the entire week of Cycle 1, including attendance to the networking reception*.

Please find the eligibility criteria below:

1. Currently working in a hospital within a low- to middle-income country based on the WHO classification
2. Has not previously attended the PONS course before

*Please note that the costs of travel, accommodation and visa costs are not included in the scholarship.

Please send this completed form along with a copy of your CV to PONS.nuances@gmail.com before June 30^th 2026 at 12pm GMT  docs.google.com/document/d/1bqTI9_O2beK5hEPGJ7Tfr9SdZ8imHIRA/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116827454549888438145&rtpof=true&sd=true

What is the course structure?

The programme is delivered over two cycles, with one course held each year. Each course runs from Friday to Sunday, providing an intensive, structured learning experience across the full weekend.

Does I need to attend both cycles?

It is recommended to attend both cycles of the course in order to encompass all paediatric neurosurgery subspecialties. However, course registration and the tickets are per Cycle separately, in order to enable flexibility to delegates to attend one cycle only if they wish to do so. 

*Course delivery: Please note this is a non-live surgical course. Teaching will be delivered through didactic lectures, case-based discussions and curated operative videos.

Terms & Conditions

Eligibility
This advanced course is intended for consultant neurosurgeons and senior trainees undertaking subspecialty training in paediatric neurosurgery.
This course is designed for medical professionals. Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cancellation & Refund Policy
Refunds are available up to 30 days before the event.
Cancellations within 30 days of the event are non-refundable.

Delegate Substitution
If you are unable to attend, a substitute delegate may attend in your place at no additional cost. Please notify the organisers in advance with the replacement attendee’s details.

Programme Changes
The organisers reserve the right to modify the programme, faculty, or schedule if necessary due to unforeseen circumstances.

Liability
The organisers accept no liability for personal injury, loss, or damage to property during the event. Attendees are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and insurance arrangements.

Photography & Media
Photography and/or video recording may take place during the event for educational and promotional purposes. No photography or video recording is permitted by delegates.
By attending, you consent to the use of such media unless you inform the organisers otherwise.

Data Protection (GDPR)
Personal information will be used solely for event administration and communication and handled in accordance with GDPR.

Access
The venue at Great Ormond Street Hospital is wheelchair accessible. Please contact organisers in advance for accessibility requirements.