Dear Colleagues, Friends, and Esteemed Delegates,

It is my great honor and pleasure to welcome you all to the 9th International Society on Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery (ISMINS) Congress, held in the beautiful city of Da Nang, Vietnam.

This year’s congress follows a successful 8th edition held in Phoenix, Arizona, under the leadership of Prof. Michael Lawton, who delivered an impactful and inspiring program. We are now privileged to gather once again, this time under the guidance of our 9th ISMINS Congress President, Prof. Andreas Demetriades, and Congress Vice President, Prof. Nguyen Trong Thien. This event is proudly held in conjunction with the 24th Vietnam Neurosurgery Conference, with Prof. Thien also serving as the organizing chair.

The theme of this year’s congress, “Minimally Invasive, Maximally Effective,” reflects our shared commitment to advancing neurosurgical techniques that are both precise and patient-centered. Minimally invasive surgery represents not just a technique but a philosophy—an approach that strives to reduce surgical trauma while delivering optimal outcomes. Through continued innovation, skill refinement, and collaboration, ISMINS continues to lead in promoting these ideals across the global neurosurgical community.

This year’s congress features workshops focusing on three core areas: cerebrovascular bypass surgery, interventional neuroendovascular procedures, and spine surgery. In addition, we are excited to showcase evolving minimally invasive techniques in various subspecialties, including cerebrovascular surgery, epilepsy and functional neurosurgery, endoscopic and skull base surgery, peripheral nerve surgery, and neuro-oncology.

We are also proud to host two important sessions: the Global Neurosurgery Symposium and the Inclusion and Diversity Session—both essential platforms for building a more inclusive and interconnected neurosurgical community.

I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Prof. Andreas Demetriades, Prof. Nguyen Trong Thien, and the entire organizing team for attracting over 500 participants from around the world. I also express my heartfelt appreciation to Prof. Vanhe Dong, President of the Vietnam Neurosurgical Society, for his generous support of this congress.

To all faculty members, thank you for your dedication and for contributing your expertise to this event, whether in person or virtually.

Finally, to our young neurosurgeons and residents—I encourage you to actively engage, ask questions, and build connections during sessions, breaks, and social events. May this congress be an enriching and memorable experience for you all.

Welcome to Da Nang, and welcome to the 9th ISMINS Congress.

Thank you.
Best wishes
Yoko KATO, M.D., Ph.D.
President, International Society on Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery (ISMINS)
President, Asian Congress of Neurological Surgeons
Professor and Chair, Department of Neurosurgery, Fujita Health University Bantane Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
Head of Fujita Health University Bantane Hospital, Stroke Center, Nagoya, Japan
Assistant Director, Fujita Health University Bantane Hospital, Nagoya, Japan