Dear distinguished guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen,

We are honoured and thankful to the congress chair Dr Vimal & the ELSA board of governors to be entrusted with the scientific programme. We have laboured to create an interesting and varied scientific programme that should pique your interests and keep you entertained.

This year’s congress theme is “Trailblazing MIS into the Next Decade” reflects the passion and interests of the organizing committee that strongly believes and wishes for the advancement of laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical techniques into the future. We at ELSA 2018 are excited to not only introduce the latest technology but also promote the adoption of new advanced techniques in all fields of minimally invasive surgery.

However, progress requires reflection of lessons from the past to help steer ourselves and the next generation to further develop the field of minimally invasive surgery. This year’s program focuses on the four elements which are science, research, innovation and the transfer of expertise. These values are key to developing MIS well into the next decade.

We are fortunate to have with us, experts from all over the world to share their experience and perspectives on these topics and we hope to create an opportunity for our participants to have ample opportunity for the exchange of ideas and criticism to help further advance MIS. This year we also have made certain that our allied health professionals are not forgotten by arranging dedicated sessions just for them as they are integral to any successful MIS team. We hope this two day programme will be memorable and beneficial to all our honoured participants who have made this event a success. May the exposure you receive here set you well on your path for a greater tomorrow.

 

Dr. Siow Sze Li

Dr. Kirubakaran Malapan

Dr. Hans Alexander Mahendran