The Issues discussed at the Congress of the Experimental Surgery Section of the Hungarian Surgical Society (HSS) include the most recent research findings, state-of-the-art educational theories and methods, and the newest technologies applied in clinical practice such as robotic surgery. Participants of the three-day event that started on Thursday and takes place at the Kölcsey Centre will also commemorate professor István Furka, former head of the Department of Operative Techniques and Surgical Research at UD, who died last year.

As usual, the agenda of the 29th Congress of the Section will reflect an integrated approach to clinical practice, research and education.


- Surgical research is driven by experimental surgery. Based on a decade-long tradition, general and experimental surgery complemented by training and education form an integrated system. The agenda of the congress aptly reflects this approach – explained Norbert Németh, chairperson of the congress, vice dean for educational affairs of the Faculty of Medicine of UD, head of the  Department of Operative Techniques and Surgical Research.

The main points on the agenda include the 70 years’ history and mission of institutes and departments dealing with experimental surgery, recalling the achievements of major researchers who have contributed to the development of this area. Participants will also commemorate the invaluable efforts of the late István Furka, former head of the Department of Operative Techniques and Surgical Research, honorary life-president of the Experimental Surgery Section. The programme will cover common issues related to surgery both in terms of research and clinical practice, different areas of surgery along with their experimental models, educational theories and methods, and new technologies such as robotic surgery. 

- The discipline of operative techniques and surgical research is strongly interrelated with clinical surgery. The graduate and postgraduate programmes of the university provide clinical patient care with young, highly trained surgeons - pointed out Zoltán Szabó, head of the Clinical Centre in his welcome speech. 

The professor added that an integration process would soon take place at the Surgery Clinic as well, which would result in one of the largest surgery institutions in Hungary.


- Surgery is an important part of our profession, which provides doctors with confidence. It takes a high level of commitment and endurance to be a good surgeon, and continuous development as well as collegial relationships are important factors that may help young surgeons in their development – highlighted Zoltán Papp, vice dean for scientific affairs of the Faculty of Medicine at the opening event of the Congress.  

He also emphasized the important role of the Department of Operative Techniques and Surgical Research in medical education. At the Centre for Medical Simulation, which operates in the framework of the department, students participating in graduate and postgraduate programmes are educated with the help of cutting-edge simulation tools.
The programme of the Congress includes about a hundred presentations. In addition to 25 Hungarian professionals, international experts have also been invited (Eiji Kobayashi from Japan, René H. Tolba and Stefan Monk from Germany), who will give accounts of the newest developments in the area. In his welcome speech, Gábor István, president of the Hungarian Surgical Society highlighted that all the presentations of the congress would contribute to the development of the field.


On the opening day of the event the prize of the Experimental Surgery Section of HSS was awarded. This year the Gábor Petri Memorial Prize went to associate professor Violetta Kékesi and professor György Wéber, who have greatly contributed to the reputation of experimental surgery both in Hungary and abroad. At the end of the 3-day congress, the Dr. István Fulka Memorial Prize will be given to the best young surgeon researcher. 

Press Centre - CzA