Dear Friends,

On behalf of the organizing committee of the International Symposium on Spine and Paravertebral Sonography for Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine 2025 (ISSPS-2025) it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Hong Kong and to the ISSPS-2025, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong from the 6-8th November 2025. This event is being organized by the Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care of the Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. This year marks the 11th ISSPS since its inception in 2009. We are thrilled to return after a hiatus due to the recent pandemic. Today, the ISSPS has established itself as a forum for clinicians to share experience and advance their knowledge in the use of ultrasound for regional anesthesia and pain medicine, particularly in the field of central neuraxial and paravertebral blocks. Like in previous years, the scientific committee has put together a thought-provoking program in which opinion leaders, researchers and renowned experts from around the world and locally will discuss the most up-to-date information on this state-of-the-art field of anaesthesia and pain medicine, and beyond. This year’s symposium will also focus on popularizing the technique of real-time ultrasound-guided central neuraxial blocks, with several lectures, a video demonstration session, and workshops planned. Details of the scientific program can be viewed at the symposium website.

I sincerely believe that by the end of the symposium the delegates will not only develop a sound knowledge about ultrasound for regional anaesthesia, but also on spinal and paravertebral sonography and the skills required to perform ultrasound guided central neuraxial and paravertebral interventions. The scientific program will also cover various aspects of POCUS (point of care ultrasound) for anesthesiologist and pain physicians. I am confident you will find the scientific program interesting whether you are a novice or an advanced user of ultrasound. I also believe the symposium will provide a platform for the delegates, faculty and corporate sponsors to interact, exchange ideas and experience, renew old friendship, increase awareness of the latest equipment and technology, emerging trends and best practices in our specialty, and more importantly build new ties for the future.

I also welcome you to experience Hong Kong, which is a city of diversity, a city of life, a sophisticated fusion of the east and the west and more importantly a city of culture and heritage where the old and the new live side by side in perfect harmony. November is also the best month to visit our city when temperatures range from 20-25°C (68-77°F), humidity is low, and outside the typhoon/rainy season. I welcome you to discover the diversity of Hong Kong and enjoy our hospitality.

Prof. Manoj Kumar Karmakar,

MD, FRCA, FHKCA, FHKAM
Convener issps 2025