The Conference
Two Days of Powerful Talks
09:30 am
4th & 5th June 2026
After the renowned success of their previous meetings, Dilemmas in Paediatric Deformity 2012, Dilemmas in Adult Deformity 2014, Dilemmas in Spinal Trauma 2016, Dilemmas in Spinal Tumours 2018, Dilemmas in Spine 2024. The Exeter Medical Spinal unit cordially invites you to the final dilemmas in meeting.
We have gathered leading members of the international and domestic spinal surgical community to discuss and debate controversies in the management of surgical spinal problems
The meeting is to be held over 2 days (4th & 5th June 2026) at Dartington Hall in Devon, a distinguished centre of learning over the ages.
Places at this prestigious event are, as always, severely restricted so please book early to avoid disappointment.
The meeting, as in previous years, will be residential with accommodation at Dartington Hall on the Thursday 4th June will be included in the registration fee
The Programme - Day 1
Thursday 4th June 2026
0800 - 0950 - Arrival, Registration & Coffee
0950 - 1000 - Welcome & House Keeping - Andrew Cottam
Session 1 - Hitchhikers Guide to the Fallacies
Moderator - Mike Hutton
1000 - 1100 - Open Mouth or Open Mind - Buster Howes
1100 - 1130 - Stability is an Absolute - Rob Dunn
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1130 - 1200 - Debate: Practice Based Evidence V Evidence Based Practice
Peter Robertson (For) V Ashley Cole (Against)
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1200 - 1215 - IONM. What is it good for ? - Jens Chapman
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1215 - 1330 - Luncheon - Great Hall​
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Session 2 - Bonfire of the Vanities
Moderator - Ian Vlok
1330 - 1400 - Scepticaemia - Mike Hutton
1400 - 1430 - Debate: Access Surgeons
Jens Chapman (For) V Vinay Jassani (Against)
1430 - 1500 - Heuristics - MIke Grevitt
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1500 - 1545 - Afternoon Tea - Great Hall​
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Session 3 - A Comedy of Errors
Moderator - Patrick Statham
1545 - 1615 - Diminishing Returns of Repeat Surgeries - Ian Harding
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1615 - 1630 - Redundant Anulus or Recurrent Disc - Alwyn Jones
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1630 - 1645 - Sagittal Facet Orientation - Does it Matter ? - Peter Robertson
1645 - 1700 - Who Needs to go to Theatre Now ? - Ian Vlok
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1700 - 1745 - Virtual Clinic - Peter Robertson & Pat Kiely
1800 Drinks Reception - The Garden
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19:30 Dinner - The Great Hall
'Life Stories' Special Guest Speaker Brian Moore
& Michaels Magical Picture Quiz
(Content Warning)
Dress Code: Smart Casual
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The Programme - Day 2
Friday 5th June 2026
Session 4 - Meditations
Moderator - Jens Chapman
0900 - 0930 Vanity is the Greatest Seducer of Reason ? - Rob Dunn
0930 - 0945 70% ! Can we improve it ? - Ashley Cole
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0945 - 1000 Rule One - Pat Kiely
1000 - 1030 Debate: Brains V Bones
- Ian Vlok (Brains) & Ian Harding (Bones)
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Session 5 - Darkness at Noon
Moderator - Vinay Jassani
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1030 - 1100 What does a spine surgeon need to know about the bladder - Mo Belal
1100 - 1145 Morning Coffee - Great Hall​
1145 - 1230 The Tale of the Tail - Patrick Statham
1230 - 1300 Debate: Waiting for Sunrise -CES Surgery
- Mike Grevitt (Yes) & Ashley Cole (No)
1300 - 1315 Optics and Outcomes - Buster Howes
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1315 - 1330 Closing Remarks & Lunch​
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The Programme - Day 1
75
Participants
20
Topics
5
Sessions
14
Speakers
Faculty
Proud to bring inspirational speakers from across the world:
International
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Professor Jens Chapman - Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, USA.
Professor Robert Dunn - University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Mr. Patrick Kiely - Our Lady's Childrens Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Professor Ian Vlok - Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
Mr Peter Robertson - Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
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National
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Mr. Mike Hutton - Exeter Medical. Devon & New Hall Hospital, Dorset.
Mr. Ian Harding - North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol.
Mr. Patrick Statham - Western General Hospital, Edinburgh.
Mr. Mike Grevitt - Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham.
Mr. Ashley Cole - Sheffield Teaching Hospital, Sheffield.
Mr. Vinay Jassani - University Hospital of North Midlandsl, Stoke.
Mr. Mo Belal - University Hospitals Birmingham.
Major General Buster Howes OBE - Devon.
Mr. Brian Moore - London.
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Supporters
Book Now
All places include accommodation on the Thursday night the 4th June, a place at the course dinner and internet access at Dartington Hall.
Accommodation for those requiring it on Wednesday 3rd June or Friday 5th June can be booked directly with Dartington Hall on 01803-847-000
Sadly Now Sold Out.