Scientific Programme Session Types

The scientific programme will include a mixture of session types throughout the congress.

Living Legends

Not to be missed, this is an opportunity to hear from some of the most important surgeons in our field who have stamped their mark on HPB surgery. Each will speak on a separate topic reflecting their career’s passion (Pancreas, Transplant and HPB 360) in exclusive plenary sessions throughout the congress.

State-of-the-Art Lectures

These presentations cover highly topical subjects in HPB surgery. Leading international speakers with considerable expertise in their subject have been invited to deliver these lectures. They are scheduled during prime time in the programme, with no competing sessions, to ensure maximum attendance.

Thomas Starzl Memorial Lecture

Thomas Earl Starzl (11 March 1926 to 4 March 2017) was a physician, researcher and pioneer in organ transplantation. He performed the first human liver transplants and is widely regarded as the father of modern transplantation. In recognition of his contributions and legacy, the Thomas Starzl Lecture is a permanent feature of the IHPBA biennial World Congress.

Meet the Expert

These sessions are led by experts and explore topics in depth, providing the latest updates and thinking from those at the forefront of research. Delegates meet in small groups in a format designed to encourage informal discussion, questions and new perspectives. To maintain an intimate learning environment, attendance is limited to 20 participants. A nominal fee applies, with tickets available during registration on a first come, first served basis.

Symposia

Symposia are structured educational sessions that critically review specific topics. Moderators oversee four to six focused talks exploring the subject in depth. They are aimed at delegates seeking to deepen or update their knowledge. Audience interaction is encouraged, with robust question and answer sessions. Many symposia include multidisciplinary, technical or scientific themes.

IHPBA Meets Societies

These symposia are hosted jointly with partner societies. Speakers from both IHPBA and partner organisations contribute to facilitated sessions, encouraging exchange of ideas, debate and discussion.

Participating partner societies include:

• Compagnons Hepato-Biliaires
• Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgeons of Asia (ELSA)
• European Liver and Intestine Transplant Association (ELITA)
• International Association of Surgeons, Gastroenterologists, and Oncologists (IASGO)
• International Consortium on Minimally Invasive Pancreas Surgery (I-MIPS)
• International Laparoscopic Liver Society (ILLS)
• International Liver Transplantation Society (ILTS)
• International Society for Fluorescence Guided Surgery (ISFGS)
• International Society of Liver Surgeons (ISLS)
• Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
• Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO)

Debates

These sessions explore controversial topics in an engaging format. Unresolved questions are discussed, providing thought provoking insights. Faculty are highly regarded clinicians with strong, evidence-based positions.

Updates

These sessions provide objective and comprehensive reviews within specific clinical or research areas. Topics such as diagnosis, management and emerging research are covered. They are designed for delegates seeking practical knowledge, with interactive discussion at the end of each session.

Best of the Best Session

The top 12 abstracts of the congress are presented in this session. These studies are expected to significantly influence HPB surgical practice. Each presentation lasts 15 minutes, including questions and answers, and is followed by commentary from a leading expert.

Oral Presentation Sessions

Fast-paced sessions showcasing high-quality abstracts. Delegates hear directly from authors and can engage with questions on their work.

E-Poster Presentations

Presenters may submit e-posters with or without recorded voiceover. Delegates can also contact authors via the e-poster platform.

Video Abstract Presentations

Video abstracts are included in the programme, with selected high-ranking submissions presented on the main stage. Each presentation is eight minutes, followed by two minutes of questions and answers. All accepted videos are available in the e-video gallery.