The 114th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

Abstract

The 114th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) took place in Boston, Massachusetts, from May 30 to June 3, 2015. Of the 3029 participants, there were 2080 physicians and healthcare providers including 759 attendees representing 75 countries outside of the USA. In addition to many workshops, symposia, hands-on laboratories and 98 podium/video presentations, there were 413 e-poster presentations (of 954 total abstracts received a record high). The meeting included workshops on how to write examination questions, transanal endoscopic surgery, anal intraepithelial neoplasia and high-resolution anoscopy, laparoscopic colectomy, optimal management of fecal incontinence and robotic colorectal surgery: tips, tricks and simulation. Symposia included laparoscopic and robotic surgery, advanced endoscopy and endoluminal surgery, managing complex surgical patients/complications, the genetics of colorectal cancer and an update on inflammatory bowel disease. There was a special emphasis on rectal cancer, including symposia addressing ‘‘Controversies in rectal cancer management’’ and ‘‘Optimizing outcomes through techniques.’’ Of the named lectureships, the ‘‘Masters in Colorectal Surgery Lectureship’’ (each year, a different senior surgeon who has made a considerable contribution to the specialty and ASCRS is honored) titled ‘‘The value of mentorship’’ was delivered by ASCRS President-Elect Patricia L. Roberts, MD, to honor ASCRS Past-President David J. Schoetz, Jr., MD (both of Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington, MA). Previous honorees include ASCRS Past-Presidents Eugene P. Salvati, MD (2014), Victor W. Fazio, MD (2013), Herand Abcarian, MD (2012), Philip H. Gordon, MD (2011), and the first recipient Stanley M. Goldberg, MD (2010). Another named lectureship, the Norman D. Nigro, MD Research Lectureship, was delivered by Professor Antonio Lacy, MD, PhD (Barcelona, Spain), on ‘‘The evolution of minimally invasive surgery for colorectal cancer: Past, Present, and Future.’’ A memorial lectureship honoring Fig. 1 Terry C. Hicks, MD (Oschner Clinic, New Orleans, LA), on the right (immediate Past-President ASCRS, 2014–2015) handing over the Presidential Medallion to Charles E. Littlejohn, MD (Stamford, Connecticut), on the left (current ASCRS President, 2015–2016) at the ASCRS Annual Business Meeting on June 3, 2015, in Boston, MA