Dear Colleagues,

 

In 1994, during the visit of Professor Soucacous to the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at Ege University Faculty of Medicine, a meeting was held with our then Chairman, Professor Hakkı Önçağ. Assistant Professor Kemal Aktuğlu and Dr. Hüseyin Macır Bekir, who was serving as an observer in our department at the time, also attended this meeting. During this historic discussion, the fundamental decision was made to establish the Turkish–Greek Joint Orthopaedics and Traumatology Meeting.

 

The proposal was subsequently discussed extensively among colleagues in both Türkiye and Greece, and a consensus was reached that the meetings should be organized on an inter-university basis.

 

The first meeting was held in 1995 at the Muhittin Erel Amphitheatre of Ege University Faculty of Medicine under the leadership of Ege University and the University of Ioannina, with the participation and support of numerous universities from both countries. The meeting attracted considerable interest and was attended by a large number of participants. Dr. S. Kemal Aktuğlu served as the Scientific Secretary of this inaugural meeting.

 

Following its success, it was agreed that the meeting would be organized every two years. Since then, it has been hosted in İzmir, Bursa, Edirne, and İstanbul in Türkiye, and in Ioannina, Alexandroupolis, Thessaloniki, Kavala, and Athens in Greece.

 

The 12th Turkish–Greek Orthopaedics and Traumatology Days, held in Athens in 2025, were co-chaired by Professor Panayiotis J. Papagelopoulos of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and Professor S. Kemal Aktuğlu, Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at Ege University. The meeting concluded with great scientific and organizational success. During this event, it was agreed that the next meetings would be held in İzmir in 2027 and in Crete in 2029.

 

Accordingly, preparations have begun for the 13th Turkish–Greek Orthopaedics and Traumatology Meeting, scheduled to take place in İzmir from 22 to 25 April 2027.

 

The Küntscher Society, headquartered in Germany, is an independent international association composed of dedicated and experienced trauma and orthopaedic surgeons committed to the advancement of intramedullary nailing. As an international scientific organization, it has established a dynamic global network of surgeons and researchers devoted to promoting the development and dissemination of intramedullary osteosynthesis. The Society places particular emphasis on the education and training of young trauma and orthopaedic surgeons as well as residents.

 

Since Professor Gerhard Küntscher introduced the technique of intramedullary nailing, remarkable advances in biomaterials and implant technology have transformed intramedullary fixation into the standard treatment for long bone fractures. The Society’s principal mission is to preserve and advance Professor Küntscher’s scientific legacy.

 

To achieve this objective, the Society actively promotes the use of intramedullary nailing whenever appropriate, supports research in fracture management and intramedullary fixation, and contributes to education through its annual Osteosynthese International meetings. Furthermore, it supports national societies in organizing symposia on intramedullary nailing and hosts guest symposia during major international congresses.

 

The Osteosynthese International Meeting was successfully organized in İzmir in 2013 under the presidency of Professor Kemal Aktuğlu.

 

The Society’s official scientific journal, Injury, is one of the leading international journals in trauma surgery. It provides members with an important platform for publishing scientific research and for keeping abreast of the latest advances in trauma and fracture care.

 

Osteosynthese International 2025, held in Berlin on 5–6 December 2025 under the theme “Kuentscher Meets Ilizarov,” focused on intramedullary nailing, Ilizarov techniques, medical support during the Ukraine–Russia war, and orthoplastic approaches, with significant scientific contributions from Professor L. Scott Levin.

 

During this meeting, it was decided that Osteosynthese International 2026 would be held in Sofia on 24–25 September 2026, while Osteosynthese International 2027 would be jointly organized with the 13th Turkish–Greek Orthopaedics and Traumatology Meeting in İzmir from 22 to 25 April 2027, under the presidency of Professor Kemal Durak.

 

Current global economic challenges have made the organization of international scientific meetings increasingly difficult. Nevertheless, together with our long-standing international colleagues, who face similar circumstances, we have decided to organize these two important meetings simultaneously while maintaining the highest scientific standards and minimizing organizational costs.

 

The official motto of the joint 2027 meeting has been chosen as “Kuentscher Meets Mare Nostrum.”

 

We are committed to making every possible effort to bring distinguished international speakers and participants to our country and to ensure the success of these important scientific events.

 

We firmly believe that, with your valued support and active participation, these meetings will further strengthen international scientific collaboration and contribute significantly to the advancement of orthopaedics and traumatology.

 

We sincerely look forward to welcoming you to İzmir in April 2027.

 

With our kind regards.