Dear Colleagues, I take great pleasure in making the opening statement of the “International Orthopedic and Traumatology Symposium of Current Topics” This first symposium, coordinated by the Ministry of Health, Teaching and Research Hospitals of the Republic of Turkey in collaboration with the HSS (New York Hospital for Special Surgery) is an important event for many colleagues in Orthopedic and Traumatology branches throughout the country, but in particular it is also equally important for our colleagues in the branches of Anesthesia and Reanimation, Rheumatology, Internal Medicine and Neuro-Surgery as this symposium reviews “orthopedics and traumatology within the principles of multidisciplinary practice.” A high level of attendance is expected from our fellow colleagues from abroad, as the Turkish Ministry of Health has publicized this event in many countries in neighboring regions. Discussions will be held regarding topics that are related in particular to the following branches in our country: the preparation and evaluation of Orthopedic and Traumatology patients, Local Anesthesia, which greatly reduces the patients stay in hospital, post-operative pain control, and recent progress in topics in Orthopedics and Traumatology, and Spinal Surgery. In addition, we will also be discussing the topic of Chondrocytes in Cell Culture. Among our distinguished guests at the symposium from HSS are Dr. Helfet, Dr. Buly, Dr. Cammissa, Dr. Wickiewicz, Dr. MacKenzie, Dr. Erkan, Dr. Gungor, Dr. Kelly with Dr. Erhan Başat from Germany, as well as many other important guests and colleagues from the Turkish Orthopedic and Traumatology branches. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all our fellow colleagues in Neuro-Surgery, Anesthesia, Rheumatology, Internal Medicine and, in particular, Orthopedic and Traumatology branches to our symposium; we would be greatly honored by your attendance. Prof. Dr. M. I. Safa Kapıcıoglu General Director of Healthcare Education, Ministry of Health Symposium Chairman