Over 20 years ago, Professeur Emile Letournel established an evolution in techniques, implants and instruments in the management of fractures of the pelvis and acetabulum. Last week in Santa Monica, California this tradition continued as over 75 surgeons gathered for four days of continuing medical education at the 18th Emile Letournel Institute Course and Workshop as sponsored by HealthStream, Stryker Orthopaedics and OSI. Participants discussed fractures, patient indications, and clinical decision making for surgical approach and device/instrumentation selection.

Although "3South" (as it's called) is no longer a working floor of the hospital at Saint John's Health Center, that all changed on Thursday, September 7, 2006. For one day, 3South was transformed into an intensive cadaver lab of the highest caliber. The 17 working stations provided quality hands on education under the guidance of our chairmen Drs. Joel Matta and Mark Reilly and the outstanding course faculty. Participants were also educated as a live surgery was broadcast into the Fairmont Hotel via satellite uplink. The course education was further supported with didactic lectures, practical exercises, and case reviews.