LAUSR

The Mediterranean Society of Coloproctology (MeSoCoP) recently held the 11th biennial meeting in its 20-year history. Thessaloniki, Greece, event, with many studies, presentations, and up-to-date information on colorectal diseases. The congress began with an important course in stoma care for nurses and video sessions and free papers for young surgeons. During the meeting, many subjects were discussed and presented by brilliant speakers from many Mediterranean and European countries. Colorectal cancer was one of the main topics for general surgeons and coloproctologists. An excellent meta-analysis was reported by D. Karachalios (Greece) of adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment for colorectal cancer. G. Theodoropoulos, G. Apostolopoulos, and Th. Theodosopoulos all from Athens gave relevant conclusions for daily surgical practice. M. Pramateftakis commented on the results of the eTHoS study comparing PPH with hemorrhoidectomy, concluding that stapled hemorrhoidopexy was associated with a significantly higher recurrence rate. The main video sessions, on robotic and laparoscopic surgery, covered the latest developments by Cimino, Ielpo, and Raptis, and a synopsis of the final consensus was provided by A. Schizas (UK). Practical proctology topics captured the attention of the big audience and predictably led to prolonged debates about current practice in proctodermatology presented by X. Delgadillo (Switzerland). J. M. Devesa (Spain) presented a large study on rectovaginal fistula treatment. At the special radiology session, the role of interventional radiology in the management of acute colonic bleeding was outstandingly presented by R. Loffroy (France). The last day of the congress was dedicated to an interesting debate about stoma complications presented by G. Salgado (Spain) and highlights on treatment of anal pain presented by A. Shafik (Egypt). The Italian experience of functional disorders presented by F. Boffi, S. Ramuscello, and A. Amato provided new insights into this theme. Finally, a symposium on inflammatory bowel disease, ileoanal pouches, and continent ileostomy topic was presented by H. Tulchinsky (Israel) and E. Westcott (UK), giving rise to a heated debate among members of the audience. Thessaloniki gave all participants a warm welcome. I. Kanellos and M. Pramateftakis, as heads of the local committee, accomplished their task outstandingly. Culture, Greek history, fantastic local meals (moussaka, Greek salads, anchovies, asparagus humus, and veal liver preparations), and many social events fostered friendship and cooperation among delegates, chairmen, invited speakers, and trainees. M. Pescatori’s (Italy) drawings and interventions during the meeting will be unforgettable memories for many coloproctologists. After accepting the candidature of Naples as the venue of the 12th MeSoCoP Meeting to be held in 2020, the scientific and organizing committee proposed improvements in the MeSoCoP’s website. Many new sessions were proposed for the next biennial meeting: including “case presentations”, “face to face: cases discussions”, “dilemmas and debates” in colorectal surgery, and sessions of endoscopic surgery. The new council committee of the MeSoCoP, shown in the photograph (Fig. 1) is made up of: (from right to left) 1st row: A. Amato-stand, F. Cimino, M. Devesa, X. Delgadillo. 2nd row: V. Rrozhani, M. Pescatori, J. Die-Trill. 3rd row: O. El-Sibai, M. Scepanovic, M. Pramateftakis, A. Odobasic. F. Boffi. 4th row: G. Salgado, F. Crescenti, L. Shosha. 5th row: A. Shafik and I. Kanellos. All new members and the recently nominated council board invite you to attend, in 2019, the first MeSoCoP Educational Symposium, in Tirana (Albania), that will be organized by the former local president L. Shosha. Colleagues from Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean countries will experience an unforgettable event, tailored specially to a demanding audiences. More details about meetings, activities, and other news will be available in the MeSoCoP newsletter on the society’s website: http://www.mscp-onlin e.org. * X. Delgadillo [email protected]