The first Phuket International Symposium on Colorectal Disease: postgraduate course of the Asia Pacific Federation Congress 2013 of the International College of Surgeons

Excerpt

The first Biennial International Symposium on Colorectal Disease held in Phuket, Thailand, from Dec 8 to Dec 10, 2013, was hosted by the governor of the International College of Surgeons, assistant professor and chief of the colorectal department of the Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Dr. Art Hiranyakas on behalf of the International College of Surgeons, the Society of Colon and Rectal surgeons of Thailand, Vachira Phuket Hospital and Bangkok Hospital Phuket. It was undoubtedly a unique opportunity to hear from internationally acclaimed speakers and experience the most exotic and exceptional Phuket beauty. The three-day exhilarating meeting agenda focused on rectal cancer treatment and advances in colorectal surgery. On the first day, a stimulating live surgery session, moderated by Dr Giovanni Milito, Professor of Surgery, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy, was held showcasing parallel laparoscopic and robotic low anterior resections for distal rectal cancer performed by Drs. Steven Wexner and Seon-Hahn Kim, respectively. The cases were followed by a live demonstration of total mesorectal excision specimen examination and an assessment of mesorectal integrity by the expert gastrointestinal pathologist Dr. Mariana Berho, Chairman of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Florida. This lively and highly informative session prompted an excellent exchange among experts and the attendees. …