DRAFT PROGRAMME

 

ABDOMINAL WALL RECONSTRUCTION MASTERCLASS

FROM THE FIRST INCISION TO THE COMPLEX ABDOMINAL WALL

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Wednesday 6th January 2027
Bush House, King’s College London

Course Convenors: 

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08:00–08:30 Registration and coffee

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08:30–08:35 | WELCOME & INTRODUCTION TO MASTERCLASS

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08:35–09:35 | SESSION 1 — PLAN IT BEFORE YOU CUT IT — Understanding the abdominal wall and selecting the right operation

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• 08:35–08:50 CT as the road map for abdominal wall reconstruction. Defect width, rectus morphology, loss of domain, previous mesh and operative planning: what should the surgeon look for?

• 08:50–09:05 Optimising the high-risk AWR patient. Obesity, smoking, diabetes, malnutrition and prehabilitation: which factors really change outcomes and when should surgery be delayed?

• 09:05–09:20 Mesh, plane and approach — getting the fundamentals right. Onlay, retrorectus, preperitoneal and intraperitoneal placement: how do I choose?

• 09:20–09:35 Panel discussion

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09:35–10:35 | SESSION 2 — BUILDING THE ABDOMINAL WALL — From retromuscular repair to TAR

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• 09:35–09:50 Rives–Stoppa retromuscular repair — how I do it. The operative steps, developing the retrorectus plane, mesh placement, technical tricks and common mistakes.

• 09:50–10:05 Transversus abdominis release (TAR) — when and why? When is TAR necessary, what additional release does it achieve, and how do you perform it safely?

• 10:05–10:20 Operative video — TAR: how I do it, A step-by-step annotated operative video. Technical tips, danger points and where the operation can go wrong.

• 10:20–10:35 Panel discussion 

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10:35–11:05 | COFFEE BREAK AND EXHIBITION

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11:05–12:05 | SESSION 3 — GETTING THE MIDLINE CLOSED — Can we improve fascial closure before or in addition to component separation?

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• 11:05–11:20 Botox before abdominal wall reconstruction — does chemical component separation work? Patient selection, timing, injection strategy and whether preoperative Botox can improve fascial medialisation and facilitate primary closure.

• 11:20–11:35 Intraoperative fascial traction — can we close the giant hernia without a component separation? Progressive mechanical traction of the fascial edges: can we reduce tension, gain additional medialisation and avoid a more extensive release?

• 11:35–11:50 Loss of domain — Botox, progressive pneumoperitoneum, TAR or all three? How should we prepare and reconstruct the patient with a giant hernia and significant loss of abdominal domain?

• 11:50–12:05 Panel discussion ​

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12:05–12:50 | SESSION 4 — MINIMALLY INVASIVE & ROBOTIC ABDOMINAL WALL RECONSTRUCTION

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• 12:05–12:20 eTEP — the minimally invasive Rives–Stoppa? Developing the extraperitoneal retromuscular plane, crossover, mesh positioning and which incisional hernias are best suited to an eTEP approach?

• 12:20–12:35 Robotic AWR — eTEP, retromuscular repair or robotic TAR? How do I choose the right robotic reconstruction, when is a robotic TAR required, and where are the limits of the robotic approach?

• 12:35–12:50 Panel discussion 

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12:50–13:35 | LUNCH, NETWORKING AND EXHIBITION

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13:35–14:35 | SESSION 5 — WHEN THE ABDOMEN GETS DIFFICULT — Abdominal wall reconstruction for the colorectal surgeon

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• 13:35–13:50 The parastomal hernia — what would you do? Keyhole, Sugarbaker, retromuscular and relocation: choosing the right repair.

• 13:50–14:05 The contaminated abdominal wall — can I use mesh? Bowel resection, stoma, enterotomy, fistula or previous infection: which mesh, which plane and when should you avoid mesh altogether?

• 14:05–14:20 The hostile reoperative abdomen — one operation or two? Dense adhesions, previous open abdomen, recurrent hernia and restoration of intestinal continuity: when should bowel surgery and abdominal wall reconstruction be combined, and when should they be staged?

• 14:20–14:35 Panel discussion 

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14:35–15:10 | SESSION 6 — HOW DO WE STOP IT GOING WRONG?

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• 14:35–14:45 Surgical-site occurrence after AWR. Preventing wound infection, dehiscence, skin necrosis and seroma.

• 14:45–14:55 Closing the abdomen — the last 30 minutes matter. Fascial closure, dead-space management, drains, quilting and closed-incision negative-pressure therapy.

• 14:55–15:10 Panel discussion 

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15:10–16:55 | AWR PRACTICAL MASTERCLASS — 7 SMALL-GROUP DRY-LAB STATIONS​

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16:55–17:10 | TAKE-HOME MESSAGES — Ten things I will do differently on Monday morning. Faculty summary and key practical learning points from the day.

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17:10–17:15 | CLOSING REMARKS

 

TWO-DAY SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME

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Wednesday 7-8 January 2027

Bush House, King’s College London

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THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2027

 

MORNING: THE DIFFICULT PELVIS. ​Pelvic Floor Reconstruction: Precision, Preservation and Salvage

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07:45–08:20 Registration and coffee

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08:20–08:30 WELCOME & INTRODUCTION TO DAY 1

 

Joseph Nunoo-Mensah and Day 1 Co-Chair (TBC)

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08:30–09:30 | SESSION 1 — RECTAL PROLAPSE: TAILORING THE OPERATION

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Moderators: TBC

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• 08:30–08:45 The surgical pelvic-floor work-up, Which investigations genuinely change management? Physiology, defaecography, endoanal ultrasound and whole-pelvis assessment.

• 08:45–09:00 External rectal prolapse: which rectopexy for which patient? Ventral mesh, suture or resection rectopexy—matching the operation to anatomy, continence and constipation.

• 09:00–09:15 Perineal operations are not only for frail patients. Delorme versus Altemeier: when a perineal approach is the best operation.

• 09:15–09:30 Panel discussion

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09:30–10:50 | SESSION 2 — INTERNAL RECTAL PROLAPSE AND ODS: OPERATE, REHABILITATE OR LEAVE ALONE?

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Moderators: TBC

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• 09:30–09:45 When pelvic-floor surgery will fail. Dyssynergia, rectal hyposensitivity, chronic pain and unrealistic expectations.

• 09:45–10:00 Internal rectal prolapse and obstructed defaecation. Who genuinely benefits from surgery—and who should not have an operation?

• 10:00–10:15 Mesh in 2027: evidence, consent, governance and complication avoidance. A practical discussion for colorectal surgeons.

• 10:15–10:30 How I do it — Operative video. Robotic ventral rectopexy: safe planes, fixation, mesh selection, consent, governance and avoiding technical failure.

• 10:30–10:50 Panel discussion

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10:50–11:20 | COFFEE BREAK AND EXHIBITION

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11:20–12:40 | SESSION 3 — FAECAL INCONTINENCE: RECONSTRUCT, STIMULATE OR SALVAGE?

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Moderators: TBC

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• 11:20–11:35 The long-term consequences of OASI. Recognising occult injury, delayed symptoms and the right pathway for women with bowel dysfunction after childbirth.

• 11:35–11:50 Faecal-incontinence phenotypes: a practical treatment algorithm. Stool optimisation, rehabilitation, physiology and the operative triggers that matter.

• 11:50–12:05 Does sphincter repair still have a role in 2027? Modern sphincteroplasty, delayed obstetric sphincter repair and when sacral neuromodulation is the better option.

• 12:05–12:20 When neither sphincter nor nerve is the answer. Transanal irrigation, ACE, reconstruction and when a stoma restores quality of life.

• 12:20–12:40 Panel discussion

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12:40–14:10 | LUNCH, NETWORKING AND EXHIBITION

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AFTERNOON: RECTAL CANCER

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14:10–16:00 | SESSION 4 — RECTAL CANCER IN 2027: THE RIGHT TREATMENT FOR THE RIGHT PATIENT

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Moderators: TBC

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• 14:10–14:25 Total neoadjuvant therapy: Universal standard or selective strategy? Who really benefits — and who may be overtreated?

• 14:25–14:40 dMMR/MSI-H rectal cancer and neoadjuvant immunotherapy. Can surgery safely be omitted?

• 14:40–14:55 Contact X-ray brachytherapy — Does Papillon have a role in 2027?

• 14:55–15:10 R1 after local or endoscopic rectal resection — Now what?

• 15:10–15:25 Lateral pelvic lymph nodes — Radiation, dissection or both? Who needs lateral pelvic lymph-node dissection in 2027?

• 15:25–15:40 The near-complete response — Wait longer, biopsy, local excise or operate?

• 15:40–16:00 Panel discussion

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16:00–16:30 | COFFEE BREAK AND EXHIBITION

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16:30–17:50 | SESSION 5 — WHEN RECTAL CANCER TREATMENT DOESN'T FOLLOW THE TEXTBOOK

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Moderators: TBC

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• 16:30–16:45 Salvage after organ-preservation failure and locally recurrent rectal cancer

• 16:45–17:00 Local regrowth during Watch-and-Wait — Have we really lost the window for cure?

• 17:00–17:15 Protecting autonomic nerve function during rectal cancer surgery — what can the surgeon actually do differently?

• 17:15–17:30 The patient is cured. but can't leave the house! Prediction, Preventing and treating Low Anterior Resection Syndrome

• 17:30–17:50 Panel discussion

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17:50–17:55 Day 1 TAKE-HOME MESSAGES & CLOSING REMARKS

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FRIDAY 8 JANUARY 2027

 

MORNING: INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE 2027

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GASTROENTEROLOGY & COLORECTAL SURGERY SESSION | THE RIGHT TREATMENT AT THE RIGHT TIME

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07:45–08:20 | Registration and coffee

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08:20–08:30 | WELCOME & INTRODUCTION TO DAY 2

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Joseph Nunoo-Mensah & IBD Gastroenterology Co-Chair

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08:30–10:05 | SESSION 1 — CROHN’S DISEASE: WHEN MEDICINE MEETS SURGERY

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Moderators: Gastroenterologist + Colorectal Surgeon

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• 08:30–08:45 Medical management of Crohn’s disease in 2027: when should we call the surgeon?

• 08:45–09:00 Early surgery for isolated ileocaecal Crohn’s disease: has the 10-year LIRIC evidence changed practice?

• 09:00–09:15 The Crohn’s stricture: medical therapy, balloon dilatation, stricturoplasty or resection?

• 09:15–09:30 Preparing the high-risk Crohn’s patient for surgery: nutrition, steroids and advanced therapies

• 09:30–09:45 Kono-S, conventional anastomosis and the mesentery: what does the evidence support in 2027?

• 09:45–10:05 Panel discussion

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10:05–10:35 | COFFEE BREAK AND EXHIBITION

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10:35–12:25 | SESSION 2 — COMPLEX IBD: PERIANAL DISEASE, COLITIS & THE POUCH

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Moderators: Gastroenterologist + Colorectal Surgeon

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• 10:35–10:50 Complex perianal Crohn’s disease: getting the sequence right — sepsis, setons and advanced therapy

• 10:50–11:05 MRI-defined healing in perianal Crohn’s: what is success and when can the seton come out?

• 11:05–11:20 After Alofisel: is there a future for cell and tissue based regenerative therapy?

• 11:20–11:35 Acute severe ulcerative colitis: rescue therapy or surgery — are we still operating too late?

• 11:35–11:50 The failing pouch: inflammation, Crohn’s disease or a surgical problem?

• 11:50–12:05 Fertility, sexual function and quality of life after IBD surgery: what every gastroenterologist and surgeon should discuss

• 12:05–12:25 Panel discussion

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12:25–14:00 | LUNCH, NETWORKING AND EXHIBITION

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AFTERNOON: ABDOMINAL COLORECTAL SURGERY

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COLON CANCER

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14:00–15:50 | SESSION 5 — COLON CANCER IN 2027: WHO NEEDS MORE THAN SURGERY?

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Moderators: TBC

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• 14:00–14:15 Beyond conventional TNM staging: identifying the high-risk colon cancer

• 14:15–14:30 FOxTROT and beyond: who should receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy?

• 14:30–14:45 Molecular profiling before colectomy: when should MSI, BRAF, POLE and other biomarkers change the treatment strategy?

• 14:45–15:00 ctDNA after curative colon cancer surgery: is it ready to guide adjuvant treatment and surveillance?

• 15:00–15:15 Tailored surgery for right-sided colon cancer — beyond CME and central vascular ligation: should every right-sided cancer have the same operation?

• 15:15–15:30 Young-onset and hereditary colon cancer: germline testing, extent of colectomy and implications for the patient and family

• 15:30–15:50 Panel discussion

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15:50–16:10 | COFFEE BREAK AND EXHIBITION

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16:10–16:55 | SESSION 6 — COMPLEX COLON CANCER SURGERY: WHEN THE OPERATION IS NOT STRAIGHTFORWARD

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Moderators: TBC

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16:10–16:25 | Operative video — The high-risk right colectomy

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Right colectomy with CME/D3 dissection, central vascular control and intracorporeal anastomosis: how I do it and where it can go wrong

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16:25–16:55 | SESSION 7 - DDCRS DEBATE

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This house believes complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation should be the standard operation for all right-sided colon cancers

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16:55–17:55 | SESSION 8 - CONSULTANT CORNER

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SATURDAY 9 JANUARY 2027
PELVIC FLOOR DIAGNOSTICS & SACRAL NEUROMODULATION MASTERCLASS​

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08:25–08:30 | WELCOME & INTRODUCTION TO MASTERCLASS

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08:30–10:05 | SESSION 1 — FROM SYMPTOMS TO PHYSIOLOGY & IMAGING

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• 08:30–08:40 How should we investigate the patient with pelvic floor dysfunction?

• 08:40–08:55 Anorectal Physiology in 2027. What tests do we actually need?

• 08:55–09:10 High-Resolution Anorectal Manometry. From the test to the London Classification. 

• 09:10–09:30 Physiology Meets Imaging: Putting the Pieces Together. Integrating anal physiology, including THD Anopress, and THD EAUS – 360° Transanal Ultrasound into clinical assessment and treatment decisions (TBC)

• 09:30–09:45 Beyond Manometry Balloon expulsion, rectal sensation and functional testing — what do they add?

• 09:45–10:05 Interactive Cases Physiology & imaging — what would you do next?

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10:05–10:25 | COFFEE BREAK AND EXHIBITION

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10:25–12:25 | SESSION 2 — ROTATING SMALL-GROUP HANDS-ON MASTERCLASS

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• Station 1 — High-Resolution Anorectal Manometry (HRAM). Practical demonstration of the HRAM system, catheter placement, standardised testing protocol, pressure topography and interpretation.

• Station 2 — Anal Physiology: THD Anopress. Practical assessment, measurements and interpretation using alternative physiology technology.

• Station 3 — THD EAUS: 360° Transanal Ultrasound. Probe technique, sphincter anatomy, identification of sphincter defects and interpretation of images.

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12:25–13:10 | LUNCH, NETWORKING AND EXHIBITION

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13:10–14:40 | SESSION 3 — AFTERNOON — FROM DIAGNOSIS TO TREATMENT

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ISUCRS–Medtronic Sacral Neuromodulation Educational Course

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• 13:10–13:25 From investigation to treatment: where does sacral neuromodulation fit?

• 13:25–13:40 The History of Sacral Neuromodulation

• 13:40–14:10 Sacral Neuromodulation for Bowel Dysfunction. Patient selection, indications and where SNM fits within the treatment pathway

• 14:10–14:40 SNM Surgical Technique — Basic Principles. The procedural pathway and principles of successful implantation

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14:40–15:00 | COFFEE BREAK AND EXHIBITION

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• 15:00–15:15 | SNM Technique Videos. Practical operative steps, tips and troubleshooting

• 15:15–15:45 | SNM Equipment & Technology. Understanding the system, components and technology used in contemporary SNM

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15:45–16:30 | SESSION 4 — PRACTICAL SMALL-GROUP SESSIONS 

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• Station 1 — PNE Model Workshop. Practical introduction to PNE technique and procedural principles.

• Station 2 — Implant Model Workshop. Hands-on demonstration of implantation technique and equipment.

• Station 3 — Postoperative Management & Programming. Follow-up, programming principles and practical patient management.

 

16:30–16:45 | SESSION 5 — CLOSING DISCUSSION & QUESTIONS. How do I start and develop an SNS service in my own unit?

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16:45–16:50 | CLOSING REMARKS

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THIS IS A DRAFT PROGRAMME. THE ORGANISERS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO AMEND THE PROGRAMME IF REQUIRED.