In the first of a series of interviews we talked to Congress President, Professor Stefan Post, who discussed the aims and highlights of this year’s ESCP meeting in Milan…
“The aim of this year’s meeting to foster international relations and to provide an update both for advanced colorectal surgeons and those in training,” began Professor Post. “Naturally, most invited speakers are world-renown experts from Europe and they are supplemented by coloproctologists from overseas, especially the United States, amongst them the current president of ASCRS (the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons), Professor Patricia Roberts.”
As always, the meeting has a strong educational platform, with a particular emphasis on training and this year is no different and will include several Pre-Congress workshops focused on Perianal Fistula, Laparoscopic Skills and Ultrasound. Furthermore, within the main program, the educational sessions will feature the Core Subject update, Best Publications, Coloproctology Around the Globe, Coloproctology and Social Media, How to Write a Paper, the Pro’s and Cons’ of Robotics, EBSQ examination, and interactive trainee sessions.
“It is our promise that every trained surgeon or surgeon in training with a special interest in the field will benefit from attending, both because of the up-to-date content and the international exchange,” he added. “The format is very similar to the outstanding meeting last year in Dublin, the topics of sessions are diversified to avoid any repetitions. Personally, I am particularly looking forward to the International Trials Results Forum on Wednesday and the six prominent keynote lectures.”
This year’s keynote lectures will include Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC in Colorectal Cancer, the Surgical Management of Intestinal Failure, Multidisciplinary Management of Perianal Crohn's Disease, Defunctioning Stoma - Old Problems, New Solutions, Neuropelveology: New Ground-breaking Discipline in Medicine and the Clinical Importance of Somatic Mutations and Subgroups in Colorectal Cancer.
There will also be a plethora of symposia for delegates to enjoy including symposia on Diverticulitis, Cryptoglandular Fistula in Ano, ESCP/ECCO: What's New in IBD?, ESCP/EAES: Minimum Invasive Procedures for Rectal Prolapse, New Methods in Low Rectal Cancer, Anastomatic Leak in Rectal Surgery and Treatment for Colon Cancer - Time for a Change?
In addition, there will be the usual sessions on ESCP Fellowships, Video Surgery, Free Paper presentations, ESCP Guidelines Update, Six Best Free Papers, International Travelling Fellows Free Papers, International Travelling Fellow Free Papers, Oral and Lunchtime Posters, Consultants’ Corner, Awards (Honorary Member, Six Best Free Papers, Best New Trial Presentation, Best Lunchtime Poster) and company sponsored (Ethicon, Frankenman and Medtronic) satellite symposia.
Outside of the meeting, the ESCP has organised several social events to allow delegates to meet both old and new colleagues. As well as a Welcome Reception on Wednesday 28th September, the annual ESCP Dinner will be hosted at Osteria del Treno on Thursday night. The restaurant is conveniently situated not far from Milan’s Central Station and is highly regarded by locals in Milan.
“Milan is such a wonderful city, there are numerous museums and historic monuments to visit. A major highlight is the world-famous “Last Supper” of Leonardo da Vinci in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie,” he explained. “Fashion aficionados should come early, as the fashion week is immediately preceding our conference and runs from 21-27 September!”
“I would like to remind all attendees that the best registration rates are available up to June 24th and I would encourage every non-member planning to attend to join the ESCP as a member before registering, because the annual membership fee is much lower than the member’s deduction on the registration fee!” he concluded.
As well as benefiting from reduced registration rates, from January 2016 all members receive a free online subscription to Colorectal Disease and members are able to access the journal online directly from your ESCP member profile. Members also have access to the ‘Members' Directory’ to network with colleagues across the world and also receive an Affiliate Membership to the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO).
To find out more about ESCP Membership, please visit here:
http://www.escp.eu.com/members/sub-about-membership