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13.FEBRUARY.2026

«HALL 1»

HALL 1
08:30–09:00 Registration
09:00–10:30 Session: Special Topics in Colorectal Surgery
  Chairpersons: K. Sapalidis, C. Kosmidis, C. Tsalikidis
   
  • Lynch and other hereditary syndromes: diagnosis, screening, and prophylactic surgery
  V. Georvasili
  • Early-onset colorectal cancer: increasing incidence in younger patients – causes and prevention strategies
  S. Laskou
  • Diet, microbiome, and lifestyle as emerging risk factors
  G. Lianos
  • The role of artificial intelligence in diagnosis, staging, and clinical decision-making
  N. Varsamis
   
  Discussants: I. Pliakos, S. Panidis
10:30–12:00 Session: Diverticulitis – The Easy” Surgery of a Benign Disease
  Chairpersons: D. Paramythiotis, A. Papadopoulos, M. Karanikas
   
  • Acute diverticulitis – purulent peritonitis
  P. Koustas
  • Acute diverticulitis – faecal peritonitis
  N. Zambitis
  • Complicated diverticulitis – long-segment stricture
  A. Ntinas
  Complicated diverticulitis – fistulas
  V. Ntouros
   
  Discussants: C. Bali, C. Tsalikidis
12:00–12:30 Coffee Break
12:30–14:00 Session: Rectal Cancer: Treatment Algorithms and Personalisation (I)  
  Chairpersons: A. Boutis, P. Makrantonakis
   
  • Total Neoadjuvant Therapy (TNT): indications, advantages, pitfalls
  A. Makrantodakis
  • TNT versus standard chemoradiotherapy
  P. Karadaglis
  • Short-course versus long-course radiotherapy in 2026
  K. Boniou
  • Short-course versus long-course radiotherapy in 2026
  K. Boniou
  • Contact radiotherapy: modern revival of an old technique
  E. Tataridou
   
  Discussants: C. Emmanouilidis, D. Misailidou
14:00–15:30 Session: Rectal Cancer: Treatment Algorithms and Personalization (II)  
  Chairpersons: S. Angelopoulos, I. Chatzis, M. Christodoulakis
   
  • When surgery comes first
  S. Bitsianis
  • Watch & Wait strategy after complete response
  S. Symeonidis
  • Immunotherapy in rectal cancer: MSI-H, dMMR and new perspectives
  A. Chorti
   
  Discussants: G. Skroubis, T. Strati
15:30–17:00 Session: Special Topics in Rectal Cancer Surgery
  Chairpersons: A. Michalopoulos, S. Apostolidis, K. Alexiou
   
  • Surgery after TNT or radiotherapy: challenges and tips
  A. Zatagias
  • Surgical management of recurrence and functional outcomes
  A. Ioannidis
  • Sphincter preservation, incontinence and quality of life
  P. Bangéas
  • ERAS protocols and perioperative optimisation
  O. Ioannidis
   
  Discussants: I. Maroulis, G. Theodoropoulos
17:00–17:30 Coffee Break
17:30–19:00 Session: Colorectal Cancer
  Chairpersons: E. Xynos, G. Pechlivanidis
   
  • Complete mesocolic excision for right colon cancer
  N. Gouvas
  • Early-onset colon cancer: Interpretation, clinical manifestation and outcomes
  G. Zacharioudakis
  • Mechanical bowel preparation
  I. Balogiannis
  • Colorectal and coloanal anastomosis techniques
  G. Pechlivanidis
19:00–19:30 Lecture
  Chairpersons: V. Papadopoulos, I. Karaitianos
   
  The evolution of neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer
  E. Xynos
19:30–20:00 Opening Ceremony
20:00–20:30 ESCP Lecture
  Chairpersons: I. Galanis, E. Efraimidou
  How to cope with the emotional weight of surgery, complications, and high responsibility
  Michel Adamina
20:30 Welcome Cocktail

«HALL 2»

HALL 2
13:00–15:30 Poster Presentations
  Chairpersons: V. Ntouros, K. Milias, K. Chalkias
15:30–17:30 WORKSHOP: Benign Anal Diseases and New Technologies
  Moderators: S. Botaitis, S. Christodoulou
   
  • Ultracision – Ligasure
  M. Karanikas
  • ECHO
  S. Panidis
  • Laser Technologies
  G. Tsitkanos
  • Radiofrequency (RF)
  C. Tsalikidis
17:30–19:00 Oral Presentations
  Chairpersons: S. Stamopoulou, S. Moisidis

14.FEBRUARY.2026

«HALL 1»

HALL 1
09:00–10:30 Session: Debate on Rectal Cancer 2026 – Robotic vs Laparoscopic vs Open Surgery (Pros & Cons)
  Chairpersons: N. Nikiteas, K. Konstantinidis, G. Peros
   
  • Robotic Surgery
  K. Tsimogiannis
  • Laparoscopic Surgery
  D. Ntourakis
  • Open Surgery
  A. Ioannidis
   
  Discussants: K. Konstantinidis, H. Katsoulis
10:30–12:00 Session: Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
  Chairpersons: M. Konstantoulakis, D. Zacharoulis, G. Tsoulfas
   
  • Treatment sequencing: colon-first vs liver-first vs simultaneous treatment
  G. Gklantzounis
  • Role of interventional radiology (chemoembolisation, RF, microwave)
  A. Chatzidakis
  • Diagnostic and intraoperative ultrasound in liver metastases
  I. Chantzarras
  • Surgical management
  A. Giakoustidis
  • Role of transplantation in colorectal liver metastases
  N. Antoniadis
   
  Discussants: E. Felekouras, D. Giakoustidis, K. Toutouzas
12:00–12:30 Lecture
  Chairpersons: C. Papavasileiou, E. Pavlidis
  Proper development of colorectal cancer guidelines and their application in daily clinical practice
  S. Antoniou
12:30–13:00 Coffee Break
13:00–14:30 Session: IBD Surgery – Contemporary Controversies and Dilemmas (I)
  Chairpersons: I. Galanis, I. Papakonstantinou
   
  • Surgical management of perianal fistulas in Crohn s disease
  M. Pramateftakis
  • Debate: Segmental vs total colectomy in Crohn s colitis
  A. Gklavas, Z. Garoufalia
  • Debate: Pouch failure – excision or salvage?
  K. Leventi, L. Chardalias
14:30–15:30 Session: IBD Surgery – Contemporary Controversies and Dilemmas (II)
  Chairpersons: I. Triantafyllidis, A. Rogdakis, K. Fortounis
   
  • Early surgery versus conservative management
  I. Lintzeris
  • Role of appendectomy in ulcerative colitis
  A. Mekras
  • Strictureplasty in Crohn s disease: indications and techniques
  A. Hamzin
   
  Discussants: K. Zografos, A. Ioannidis
15:30–16:00 Lecture
  Chairpersons: I. Papakonstantinou, V. Papadopoulos, D. Patsouras
  Abdominal disaster management: against all odds
  Janindra Warusavitarne
16:00–18:00 Break
18:00–18:30 Lecture
  Chairpersons: E. Pikoulis, P. Chrysocheris
  Prevention of incisional hernia in colorectal surgery using mesh placement Laparoscopic approach
  N. Pararas
  Open surgery
  A. Theodorou
18:30–19:00 Lecture
  Chairpersons: I. Galanis, N. Sikalias, M. Pramateftakis
  Innovation in Surgery: A Glance at the Future
  Alberto Arezzo
19:00–19:30 Lecture
  Chairpersons: D. Mantas, S. Sotirianakos
  AI-driven image recognition in medical education: applications, impact, challenges, and future directions
  D. Ntourakis
19:30–20:00 Lecture
  Chairpersons: Eelco De Bree, G. Tsourouflis, Th. Papavramidis
  Use of ICG in colorectal surgery
  Z. Garoufalia

«HALL 2»

HALL 2
09:00–11:00 Oral Presentations
  Chairpersons: O. Ioannidis, S. Bitsianis
11:00–12:30 SESSION: Obstructive Defecation / Rectal Prolapse
  Chairpersons: K. Giannoulis, S. Christodoulou, P. Kouridakis
   
  • Concomitant cystocele/rectocele: contemporary repair in collaboration with a urogynecologist
  P. Goulas
  • Complete rectal prolapse: management strategies in elderly and high-morbidity patients
  N. Ouzounidis
  • Recurrent rectal prolapse and reoperative surgery
  D. Raptis
  • Debate: Ventral mesh rectopexy versus posterior rectopexy
  G. Geropoulos G. Tsitkanos
   
  Discussants: E. Kotidis, D. Patsouras
12:30-13:00 Coffee Break
13:00–14:30 SESSION: Flatus and Faecal Incontinence – From Diagnosis to Treatment
  Chairpersons: K. Romanidis, I. Virlos, K. Vasileiadis
   
  • Management algorithm: from conservative treatment to interventional therapy
  O. Ioannidis
  • Sphincteroplasty: indications, technical details, and outcomes
  V. Lagopoulos
  • Sacral nerve modulation (SNM) and tibial nerve stimulation: patient selection
  K. Kopanakis
  • Artificial sphincter and gracilis muscle transposition: do they still have a role?
  M. Margaritis
   
  Discussants: I. Balogiannis, I. Pliakos
14:30–16:00 WORKSHOP: Minimally Invasive Transanal Techniques in Rectal Cancer
  Moderators: D. Paramythiotis, I. Mantzoros, G. Theodoropoulos
   
  • Surgical anatomy and anatomical correlations
  D. Raptis
  • TEM
  E. Kotidis
  • TAMIS
  G. Theodoropoulos
  • TaTME
  H. Katsoulis
16:00–18:00 Break
18:00–19:00 Oral Presentations
  Chairpersons: G. Christodoulidis, T. Strati
19:00–20:00 Oral Presentations
  Chairpersons: C. Damaskos, N. Garmpis

15.FEBRUARY.2026

«HALL 1»

HALL 1
09:00–10:30 Session: Robotic Surgery in Colorectal Cancer: Surgical Approaches and Outcomes
  Chairpersons: I. Galanis, G. Tzovaras, D. Dimitroulis
   
  • Right colectomy
  K. Mavrantonis
  • Left colectomy / sigmoidectomy
  K. Konstantinidis
  • Low anterior resection (TME)
  G. Peros
  • Beyond TME
  C. Kontovounisios
   
  Discussants: S. Apostolidis, D. Dimitroulis
10:30–12:00 Session: Laparoscopic Surgery in Colorectal Cancer: Surgical Approaches and Outcomes
  Chairpersons: K. Tepetes, M. Pramateftakis, G. Theodoropoulos
   
  • Right colectomy
  D. Patsouras
  • Transverse colectomy
  G. Agiomammitis
  • Left colectomy / sigmoidectomy
  V. Drakopoulos
  • Low anterior resection
  S. Kapiris
   
  Discussants: G. Skroubis, E. Andriopoulou
12:00-12:30 Coffee Break
12:30–13:00 Lecture
  Chairpersons: S. Apostolidis, G. Peros
  Beyond TME-GREECE 2026
  C. Kontovounisios
13:00–13:30 Lecture
  Chairpersons: A. Michalopoulos, A. Mekras
  Robotic surgery and IBD-associated dysplasia
  E. Pappou
13:30–14:00 Lecture
  Chairpersons: I. Galanis, E. Efraimidou
  Building a geriatric colorectal surgery program
  A. Stefanou
14:00–14:30 Closing Ceremony - Awards - Conclusions

«HALL 2»

HALL 2
09:00–10:30 Oral Presentations
  Chairpersons: S. Laskou, S. Panidis
10:30–12:00 Oral Presentations
  Chairpersons: K. Vasileiadis, M. Margaritis
12:00-12:30 Coffee Break
12:30–14:00 STUDENT FORUM: Colorectal Surgery – A Dialogue Between Students and Mentors
  Moderators: Medical Students - Z. Garoufalia
   
  Discussion 1 – Mentor / Student: N. Vassos / S. Theofilopoulou
  What is insufficiently taught in medical school about Colorectal Surgery
  Key topics:
• Myths and realities of the specialty
• First exposure of students to colorectal surgery
• Knowledge that would be useful from an early stage
   
  Discussion 2 – Mentor / Student:  A. Terra / Ch.-Tz. Omar
  From clinical clerkship to the operating theatre
  Key topics:
• The role of the medical student in daily clinical practice
• Common colorectal cases
• How to make optimal use of clinical training
   
  Discussion 3 – Mentor / Student: S. Kapoulas / A. Kyriakou
  Contemporary advances in Colorectal Surgery
  Key topics:
• Minimally invasive techniques
• Robotic surgery
• The role of research and technology
   
  Discussion 4 – Mentor / Student: Z. Garoufalia / E. Pavlidou
  Training and career pathways in Colorectal Surgery
  Key topics:
• Educational pathway
• Career options in Greece and abroad
• Mentorship and work–life balance