Guatemala was the meeting point for the outstanding high-level medical conference, led by renowned Spanish neurosurgeons Dr. Pablo Clavel and Dr. Ignasi Catalá, from the prestigious Clavel Institute in Barcelona. Their visit represented a significant milestone in medical education in the region, given their specialization in advanced minimally invasive spine surgery techniques, which have marked a before and after in this field.
The conference was held on April 28, 2025, at the Cathedral Room of the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, located at 1a Av. 12-47 zone 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This event was directed specifically to patients with lumbar or cervical spine problems. Admission was free, but space was limited, so prior registration was required. For those who could not attend in person, they had the opportunity to attend virtually, as the conference was transmitted virtually. During the conference, under the slogan "Less invasive, More movement, Better quality of life", Dr. Clavel addressed advanced techniques in spine surgery, while Dr. Catalá focused on the treatment of scoliosis.
The doctors not only gave the conference, but also took advantage of their visit to evaluate clinical cases and offer direct medical guidance to patients interested in advanced treatments, given the absence of the technology they handle in the region. The Clavel Institute, with offices in Barcelona and Madrid, is a leader in spine surgery and cranial neurosurgery, standing out for its focus on minimally invasive techniques and the use of cutting-edge technologies such as neuronavigation and robotic surgery. Dr. Pablo Clavel, director of the institute, is an expert in cervical and lumbar spine surgery, microdiscectomy and robotic surgery, while Dr. Ignasi Catalá, deputy director, specializes in cervical and lumbar arthroplasty, scoliosis correction and techniques such as XLIF and iFuse, having received the European Award in Medicine in Neurosurgery in 2023.
The collaboration for this event has been made possible thanks to EnlaceMed, a company specializing in international medical tourism that has been connecting Latin American patients with prestigious specialists in Spain for eight years. EnlaceMed facilitates access to excellent medical care, offering advice, study management, virtual appointments and medical travel arrangements, in addition to coordinating post-operative follow-up. Spain has established itself as an attractive medical destination due to its advanced infrastructure, renowned physicians, reduced waiting times and competitive costs, which are more affordable compared to the United States. EnlaceMed has helped more than 400 patients in the region to access these cutting-edge treatments.
The main objective of this journey is to put the patient at the center, reaffirming that access to compassionate, specialized and personalized medical care is possible, regardless of the country of origin. It is like bringing a beacon of knowledge and hope directly to the region, illuminating new avenues for the treatment of spinal problems that previously seemed unattainable.
Source: La Prensa Grafica
