For 15 years, DDU has created a space for the spine community to come together, share experience, challenge thinking and learn from one another.

This August, that continued in Melbourne as leading spine surgeons from across Australia, New Zealand and around the world came together for two days of discussion, debate and practical learning at DDU 2026.

Centred on Decision, Discipline, Durability, this year's program explored the clinical judgement, surgical execution and long-term thinking behind contemporary spine care.

Two days built around conversation

From live patient consults and paediatric spine care to neurological tolerance, surgical debates and complex cases, day one put real-world clinical decision-making at the centre of the conversation.

Day two looked at what's changing in spine care, including AI, predictive analytics and endoscopic techniques, before turning to the realities of complications, revision strategies and managing high-risk patients.

Across both days, the focus remained on open discussion, different perspectives and sharing experiences that could be taken back into practice.

Bringing global and local perspectives together

Led by meeting convenors Mr Kris Lundine and Mr Paul Smith, DDU 2026 brought together an outstanding international and ANZ faculty spanning both orthopaedic and neurosurgical spine surgery.

Joining us from around the world were Dr Serena Hu, Dr David Farrington, Prof Martin Gehrchen, Dr Burt Yaszay, Dr Andrew Sama, Prof René Castelein, Dr Dennis Hey, Dr Ou Yang Youheng, Prof Reuben Soh, Dr Schalk Burger, Dr Neil Duggal and Prof Min-Seok Kang.

They were joined by our ANZ faculty Mr Otis Shirley, Dr Adam Parr, Mr Mo Awad, A/Prof John Cunningham, A/Prof Gus Gonzalvo, Mr Ron Jithoo, Mr Radek Kindl, Dr Susan Liew, Mr Yi Yang, Dr Brian Hsu, Dr Randolph Gray, Dr Prashanth Rao and Dr Yingda Li.

The breadth of experience in the room helped create what DDU has always set out to do: bring different perspectives together and create space for open, clinically relevant discussion.

15 years on

DDU began in 2011 as a surgeon-led initiative focused on advancing spinal deformity care through collaboration and education. Fifteen years later, it has grown to reflect the breadth of contemporary spine surgery while staying true to that original idea - built by surgeons, for surgeons.

A huge thank you to our convenors, faculty and everyone who joined us in Melbourne, asked questions, shared cases and contributed to the conversation.

We'd also like to thank our sponsors and supply partners - Spineart, Cerapedics, Fziomed, VB Spine, 4WEB, Synergy Spine Solutions, Bioventus, Cresco and Adeor for their continued support in helping make education and collaboration like this possible.

15 years on, the conversations continue.