President’s Message
The Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Asia-Pacific Section (SMISS AP), was established in 2019 as the first international section of US SMISS. Many countries in Asia are experiencing rapidly aging populations, and spinal deformities associated with osteoporosis, neurological disorders, and severe low back pain and functional impairment in activities of daily living (ADL) caused by degenerative spinal diseases have become particularly significant challenges. In addressing these issues safely, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) has attracted considerable attention as one of the most important surgical modalities.
Following the appointment of Yoshihisa Kotani and Jin-Sung Kim as International Directors of US SMISS in the same year, we resolved to undertake the responsibility of founding SMISS AP. Eight Directors and 58 Faculty members from across the Asia-Pacific region gathered in support of our mission: to solve these spinal problems in a “minimally invasive,” “safe,” and “accurate” manner, thereby bringing relief and improved quality of life to many patients.
The 1st Annual Meeting was held in Seoul in 2021. Although it was conducted as a hybrid meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it attracted many enthusiastic participants and concluded successfully. Since then, the Annual Meeting has continued to grow steadily each year, culminating in the 2025 meeting in Mumbai, which welcomed more than 700 participants and marked the Society’s development into a major academic congress.
On this occasion, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all our members who support the Society, the nine Directors, the 58 Faculty members (as of July 2025), Mr. Fukunaga, representative of the SMISS AP office, and Mrs. Nancy Henkel of the US SMISS Secretariat.
After six years of progress, SMISS AP has established nine committees, with each Faculty member contributing diligently to the Society’s operations. In the field of education, we also host three webinars annually, promoting active academic exchange among members. In 2026, our Society will publish the long-awaited Textbook of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Concepts and Surgical Techniques, consisting of 80 chapters and prepared over two years, through Springer. I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to the many contributors involved in this project, and I sincerely hope that this textbook will further advance education and development in minimally invasive spine surgery.
In closing, I respectfully ask for your continued support and cooperation for both SMISS and SMISS AP societies.
Yoshihisa Kotani, M.D.
President, SMISS AP
President’s Message
The Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Asia-Pacific Section (SMISS AP), was established in 2019 as the first international section of US SMISS. Many countries in Asia are experiencing rapidly aging populations, and spinal deformities associated with osteoporosis, neurological disorders, and severe low back pain and functional impairment in activities of daily living (ADL) caused by degenerative spinal diseases have become particularly significant challenges. In addressing these issues safely, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) has attracted considerable attention as one of the most important surgical modalities.
Following the appointment of Yoshihisa Kotani and Jin-Sung Kim as International Directors of US SMISS in the same year, we resolved to undertake the responsibility of founding SMISS AP. Eight Directors and 58 Faculty members from across the Asia-Pacific region gathered in support of our mission: to solve these spinal problems in a “minimally invasive,” “safe,” and “accurate” manner, thereby bringing relief and improved quality of life to many patients.
The 1st Annual Meeting was held in Seoul in 2021. Although it was conducted as a hybrid meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it attracted many enthusiastic participants and concluded successfully. Since then, the Annual Meeting has continued to grow steadily each year, culminating in the 2025 meeting in Mumbai, which welcomed more than 700 participants and marked the Society’s development into a major academic congress.
On this occasion, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all our members who support the Society, the nine Directors, the 58 Faculty members (as of July 2025), Mr. Fukunaga, representative of the SMISS AP office, and Mrs. Nancy Henkel of the US SMISS Secretariat.
After six years of progress, SMISS AP has established nine committees, with each Faculty member contributing diligently to the Society’s operations. In the field of education, we also host three webinars annually, promoting active academic exchange among members. In 2026, our Society will publish the long-awaited Textbook of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Concepts and Surgical Techniques, consisting of 80 chapters and prepared over two years, through Springer. I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to the many contributors involved in this project, and I sincerely hope that this textbook will further advance education and development in minimally invasive spine surgery.
In closing, I respectfully ask for your continued support and cooperation for both SMISS and SMISS AP societies.
Yoshihisa Kotani, M.D.
President, SMISS AP