Maltese surgeons’ association hold first symposium

The first Symposium of the Association of Surgeons of Malta was held on the 19th December 2015 at Mater Dei Hospital.

This showcased the work of Maltese surgeons and surgical trainees in front of two world experts in minimal invasive surgery – Professor Eduardo Targarona who is the current president of the European Association of Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgeons and Dr Marco Allaix Associate Professor of the University of Turin and a member of educational board of endoscopic and laparoscopic surgeons.

The scientific content of work done locally was very well received by the above mentioned surgeons. The main topic of the event was keyhole surgery which in recent years has bloomed in the surgical society in Malta.

During the meeting, the advantages of minimal invasive surgery were stressed. These operations, in which the surgeon does his work via three or four holes, are used for common conditions in our population such as cancers, diverticular disease, appendicitis and gall bladder conditions. The symposium was organised by Mr Joseph Galea, Cardiothoracic surgeon who is the current president of the Association of Surgeons of Malta and Mr Predrag Andrejevic, General and Laparoscopic Surgeon.

They also presented their works concerning improving bypass grafts and advanced keyhole surgery respectively.  Young surgeons presented many interesting papers and innovative operating skills and were judged by international experts. The first prize was awarded to a surgeon in training Dr Tara Grima, sponsored by the Hilton Malta.

Professor Targarona pledged to give Maltese surgeons full support and to start close collaboration between the European Association of Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgery in the field of research and further training in minimal invasive surgery. The symposium was under Patronage of Hon Parliament Secretary for Health Mr Chris Fearne who welcomed this collaboration.