LESM Surgical Conference at MedTech Malta 2025: Full Programme Announced

The conference will open at 08:30 with welcome remarks from Mr. P. Andrejevic, President of LESM, followed by a keynote address on clinical governance by Malta’s Hon. Minister Dr. Jo-Etienne Abela.

Session 1, Advances in General Surgery, begins at 09:00 with Prof. S. Wexner reflecting on surgical innovation over his career. The session continues with talks on VeressPLUS: Redefining safety in first abdominal access (Dr. Ir.ing. T. Horeman-Franse), robotic colorectal (Mr. C. Cini) and upper GI surgery (Mr. C. Caruana), spotlighting local expertise and the evolving Maltese surgical landscape.

Following a coffee break, Session 2 explores The Role of Robots and AI in Shaping the Surgeon’s World. Prof. M. Chand opens the session with a provocative question: Are robots just tools? He is followed by Prof. T. Arulampalam and Prof. J. Abela, who dive into AI’s role in surgical training and operating theatres, while Mr. J. Dalli adds a perspective on fluorescence-guided surgery integrated with AI.

Session 3, dedicated to Innovations and Controversies in Advanced Oncological Surgery, will cover topics such as HIPEC and PIPEC (Ms. D. Cortes Guiral), cytoreductive surgery (Mr. M. Brincat), and complex discussions on simultaneous resection in metastatic cases (Mr. N. Cassar) and aggressive management in late-stage cancers (Mr. N. Spiteri).

After a Meet the Expert Lunch Break, Session 4 turns to the rise of Minimally Invasive Metabolic Surgery, with a clear focus on endoluminal techniques by Prof. E. Despott. Featuring joint presentations by Dr. S. Chiappetta, Dr. A. Formiga, and experts including Dr. C. Stier and Dr. M. Galvao, the panel examines the shifting paradigm in bariatric care.

Each session is followed by a Q&A session.

The final sessions include a Free Paper Session chaired by Mr. C. Camenzuli, offering emerging surgeons a platform to present new data and perspectives, and a closing segment led by Mr. P. Andrejevic reflecting on LESM’s trajectory and its plans for 2026.

This session encourages active participation from medical surgical trainees, residents, and fellows, fostering academic growth and critical thinking. Presenters will have the opportunity to share their work with a panel of esteemed surgeons and peers, receive constructive feedback, and engage in scholarly discussion. One selected presentation will be eligible for an award, making this session an excellent stepping stone for those pursuing surgical careers.

Abstract Submission Guidelines

Abstracts are welcome from consultants, senior registrars and trainee surgeons. These are to be submitted in PDF format by sending an email on cibomalta@gmail.com by 20th September 2025. A reviewing board will then select the best six abstracts for presentation.

• Abstracts must consist of 5 paragraphs, making a total of 450 words maximum. It should include:
  • Aims (100 words max)
  • Methods (100 words max)
  • Results (100 words max)
  • Conclusion (100 words max)
  • Key Statement (50 words max)
• Abstracts must be submitted as text and tables ONLY (i.e. no figures, graphs or diagrams).
• The abstract should be marked anonymously i.e. the text should not refer to any institutional affiliation.
• Selected candidates need to give an oral presentation. This will take place on Friday 14th November 2025.
• Oral presentations should be a total of 7 minutes in duration with 3 minutes for discussion.
• Further details on where the oral presentation should be emailed will be sent to those abstracts chosen in due course. Presentations must also be brought to the conference on a USB stick or laptop. Certificates of Presentation will only be issued to the presenter at the conference and not to any additional authors.
• An award will be awarded at the end of the Free Paper Session for the best presentation.

With a packed, expertly curated agenda, the LESM Surgical Conference 2025 promises to be more than just a showcase of new technologies—it will serve as a place for frank discussions, idea-sharing, and setting the tone for surgical innovation in the years ahead.

MedTech Malta 2025 returns from 12 to 14 November at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta. Join leading surgeons, innovators, and healthcare leaders at this three-day gathering to explore what’s next in MedTech. Get your ticket now or contact us at hello@med-tech.world to secure your place at one of Europe’s fastest-growing medical innovation hubs.