From June 17 to 20, 2025, the city of Lyon hosted the Cranial Step II – Hands-On Course, promoted by the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS).
Cranial Step II represents one of the core stages of the EANS training program, positioned between the “Step I” courses and the highly specialized pathways aimed at young neurosurgeons in the advanced phase of their training.
The event, held at the University Department of Anatomy of the Lyon Est Faculty of Medicine and chaired by Prof. Nikolay Velinov, brought together an international selection of senior neurosurgical trainees. It offered them an immersive opportunity to refine their surgical skills on anatomical specimens, under the guidance of high-profile instructors.
Dr. Alessandro Perin, neurosurgeon at the Carlo Besta Neurological Institute IRCCS Foundation in Milan and Scientific Director of the Besta NeuroSim Center, participated as a faculty member, leading both theoretical and practical sessions on key surgical approaches such as the pterional, the FTOZ with extradural removal of the ACP, and the use of the ultrasonic surgical aspirator on simulated models.
The course program was intensive and structured over four days of lectures and hands-on sessions, including:
- Surgical approaches to the anterior skull base, anterior petrosectomy (Kawase), retrosigmoid, far-lateral, and transcondylar approaches
- Microvascular bypass techniques and extended endonasal neuroendoscopy
- Simulated sessions using advanced tools (such as the ultrasonic aspirator) in a safe and highly realistic training environment
The Cranial Step II event reaffirms the importance of advanced simulation as a bridge between anatomical knowledge and surgical practice.
