（Part 1）2026 Huanhu Pediatric Neurosurgery Conference Successfully Held

The 2026 Huanhu Pediatric Neurosurgery Conference was held in Tianjin, China, from June 26 to 28. Jointly organized by the Tianjin Medical Association and the Tianjin Welfare Foundation for Persons with Disabilities, and hosted by Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, the conference brought together experts and professionals in pediatric neurosurgery for academic exchange and collaboration.

The conference brought together a distinguished group of internationally renowned experts, including Professor James T. Rutka (Canada), Editor-in-Chief of the prestigious Journal of Neurosurgery and President of the American Academy of Neurological Surgery; Professor Ulrich-Wilhelm Thomale (Germany), Head of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Professor Nelleke Langerak (the Netherlands), Senior Researcher at Sint Maartenskliniek Rehabilitation Hospital in Nijmegen; and Professor Yu Yanbing, President-Elect of the Neurosurgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and Director of the Department of Neurosurgery at China-Japan Friendship Hospital.

Numerous leading Chinese experts in pediatric neurosurgery, neurosurgery, and rehabilitation medicine also attended the conference, delivering academic lectures and chairing scientific discussions.

Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony began with a promotional video highlighting the development and achievements of the Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, offering attendees an overview of the department's progress and accomplishments. The conference then officially commenced with a formal opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Wang Hongguang , Vice President of TianJin Huanhu Hospital

Professor Yu Yanbing, President-Elect of the Neurosurgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and a distinguished neurosurgeon at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, delivered an opening address.

To further implement President Xi Jinping's directives on strengthening east–west regional cooperation and targeted assistance, foster a stronger sense of community for the Chinese nation, and provide meaningful support to children with cerebral palsy in ethnic minority regions of western China, a charitable surgical assistance initiative was jointly launched under the guidance of the China Disabled Persons' Federation.

Entitled “Ethnic Unity, Shared Compassion: Sunshine Initiative for Disability Assistance” — A Charitable Surgical Assistance Program for Children with Cerebral Palsy in Ethnic Minority Regions of Western China, the initiative was jointly established by the United Front Work Department of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee, the Tianjin Disabled Persons' Federation, the Tianjin Charity Association, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, and the Tianjin Welfare Foundation for Persons with Disabilities. 

Zhang Daliang, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Hotan Prefecture Disabled Persons' Federation in Xinjiang, delivered an address.

Ge Le, former Secretary of the Party Committee of Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, delivered an address. 

Launch Ceremony of the “Ethnic Unity, Shared Compassion: Sunshine Initiative for Disability Assistance” — A Charitable Surgical Assistance Program for Children with Cerebral Palsy in Ethnic Minority Regions of Western China.

Main venue

Professor James T. Rutka delivered a lecture entitled “Recent Advances in Precision Treatment of Pediatric Brain Tumors,” providing an in-depth overview of the latest diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for malignant brain tumors in children, with particular emphasis on emerging approaches to molecularly targeted therapy.

Professor Ulrich-Wilhelm Thomale delivered a lecture entitled “Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Treatment of Pediatric Hydrocephalus,” offering valuable academic insights and practical guidance for the surgical management of hydrocephalus in children. His clear and engaging presentation made complex concepts accessible to the audience, stimulating lively academic discussions and fostering an enthusiastic atmosphere of scientific exchange.

Professor Nelleke Langerak from Sint Maartenskliniek Rehabilitation Hospital in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, engaged in an in-depth academic discussion on postoperative rehabilitation management for children with neurological disorders.

Professor Li Qingguo from Tianjin Huanhu Hospital presented the innovative practices of the hospital's pediatric neurosurgery team within a multidisciplinary collaborative care model.

Distinguished Guest Moderators of the Main Conference Sessions

Throughout this inspiring exchange of knowledge, clinical experience converged with innovation, while established practices intersected with cutting-edge advances. The insights shared by the distinguished experts provided participants with valuable inspiration and opportunities for critical reflection, injecting fresh momentum into the continued development of pediatric neurosurgery.