Dear Members of the APHS

We had a great time in Singapore for the 3rd International Congress of  the  Asia - Pacific Hernia Society held at the Suntec, Singapore International Exhibition & Convention Centre.  As you certainly know the theme of the Congress was “Innovation Through Experience and Technology” and it was a really appropriate ones since the new and fast development in the field of hernia surgery.

Guest-of-Honour of the Opening Ceremony was Prof. K. Satkunanathan, Director of Medical Services of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Singapore. His welcome speech was focused on the socio-economic aspect of hernia in an ageing population and the impact of the surgical treatment on the healthcare cost. During the Opening Ceremony, the Honorary Membership of the APHS were conferred to three outstanding and excellent scientist of the hernia: Prof. Reinhardt Bittner from Stuttgart, Germany for his long standing contribution to the development of laparoscopic hernia repair; to Prof. Robert J Fitzgibbons, from Omaha, Nebraska – USA for the research and studies on hernia physiopathology and treatment and to Prof. G Campanelli for his strong and fruitful support to the Society and the contribution to the hernia surgery in Europe. After the multicultural dance performance, a State-of-the-Art Lecture by Prof Tehemton E Udwadia, President of the International Federation Societies of Endoscopic Surgery, was held on the topic of” Hernia Surgery in Asia-Pacific Region”.  A Faculty Dinner in the scenic Asian Civilisation Museum, along the Singapore River, concludes the busy, opening day of the Congress.

More than 60 overseas outstanding experts attended and share their clinical experience, knowledge and current ongoing research on different area and subject of the hernia. From different parts of the world like France, Germany, USA,  South Korea , Japan, China, Hong Kong, India, Switzerland, Australia, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vietnam, Philippines and Malaysia would be gracing the event as Invited  Faculty imparting  their very own evidence based facts and experience on the ever challenging aspects of  Hernia Surgery.  A variety of interesting topics have been discussed from the etiopathogenesis to the anatomy, from the classification to the different imaging and type of surgical repair, from open to laparoscopic approach and from mesh to non mesh-repair with an entire morning on Biomaterials. Different and peculiar aspect of the hernia surgery in the Asia-Pacific Region were also deeply discussed and analyzed.
The “hot event” during the Congress where the two APHS Expert Panels Forum on both Inguinal and Ventral Hernia chaired respectively by RJ Fitzgibbon and Cheah WK and by H Jeekel and D. Lomanto. In the two Panels with the help of an Automatic Response System, an interactive discussion and debate was made after a short presentation of the topics by two opponent experts.

In addition, a selection of researches in form of video, oral and poster were presented during the Scientific Session. Three APHS Awards were presented to the best presenters of each category during the APHS Fellowship Night, an exciting event with local delights, music and oriental entairtenment from Chinese calligraphy to colorful fan, changing face, etc.  The Best Oral Presentation “Bassini Prize” were awarded to Dr Takeshi Nagahara from Japan, the Best Video Presentation “Stoppa Prize” were awarded to Dr R. Parthasarata from India, the Best Poster Presentation “Cooper Prize” were awarded to Dr Aung Moe M from Myanmar.

The over 400 Delegates coming from 36 worldwide countries enjoyed the social activities, our sunny island country and mainly the scientific programme of the 3rd APHS Congress.

41 Delegates participate in the Pre-Congress Workshop that was held at the newly open Advanced Surgery Training Centre, located at the National University Hospital. A full day activities, with a morning Session where of 8 different live surgeries were performed by renowned surgeons and an afternoon Session of Hands-on Activities on Live Tissue were the Delegates, have the chance to try and explore new surgical technique and new prosthetic materials.

Before I conclude, a big thanks to all the people who fully supported this successful event, from my staff to the secretariat, from the Scientific to the International Committee, from my local colleagues to the Congress Organizer and last but not least to all the Sponsors that made a big effort.

I need to thank everybody because with without their help, assistance and hard work this event will not be made possible.

See you all in Beijing from October 31 to November 2 for the 4th Asia-Pacific Hernia Society Congress,

Davide Lomanto, MD, PhD, FAMS
President of the 3rd APHS Congress
Secretary General of the APHS