Matanzas, September 28 (RHC)-- The 27th International Congress of Orthopedics and Traumatology began sessions Tuesday at the Plaza América Convention Center in Cuba's famous Varadero beach resort.

The event gathers together over 400 professionals and experts from the United States, Canada, Japan, China, Australia, France, Germany, Italy and the host country Cuba.

Progress in external fixation is one of the central issues under discussion at the congress, which runs through October 1st. Other topics for discussion include back operations, foot deformities, shoulder, minimally invasive surgery, infections, complex hip conditions in the elderly and injuries in high performance sports.

Running parallel to the International Congress on Orthopedics and Traumatology is the 1st Cuban Congress of External Fixation, where Cuba will present the development of the RALCA external fixator, introduced in surgical procedures on the island since the 1970s.