JBNU Professor Oh Young-min (School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery) was recognized for his research achievements in the treatment of spinal disorders in elderly patients and recently received the Oral Presentation Award at the '2026 29th Annual Meeting of the Korean Society of Geriatric Neurosurgery'.

The Korean Society of Geriatric Neurosurgery's academic award is presented to researchers in the field of geriatric neurosurgery, particularly those who have contributed to advances in the treatment of cervical spine disorders in elderly patients.

At the conference, Professor Oh presented clinical experiences and research findings under the title 'Surgical Treatment of Ossification of the Anterior Longitudinal Ligament of the Cervical Spine in Elderly Patients'. The study was highly praised for systematically presenting effective surgical strategies and treatment outcomes for the increasing incidence of cervical spine disorders in older patients, thereby contributing to advances in neurosurgical spine care.

The study is particularly significant because it provides direction for clinical approaches and surgical techniques in treating the rapidly growing number of elderly patients with cervical spine disorders due to population aging.

Ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine is a condition in which the ligament at the front of the neck becomes ossified and thickened, compressing the esophagus and causing severe difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). In elderly patients, this can make nutritional intake difficult and greatly increase the risk of health deterioration.

Through his research, Professor Oh demonstrated that surgical removal of the ossified anterior longitudinal ligament is effective in improving symptoms such as dysphagia, and reported excellent treatment outcomes through clinical application. He also achieved results that maximize treatment efficacy by employing minimally invasive surgery and multifaceted approaches.

Professor Oh Young-min said, 'As the number of elderly patients with cervical spine disorders increases due to population aging, it is important to maximize treatment effectiveness. I will continue to contribute to advances in the treatment of spinal disorders in the elderly through ongoing research and surgical experience.'