
07/10/2025
I recently attended the AANZGOSA and ISDE Meetings (17–20 September) — an incredible opportunity to engage with colleagues, exchange ideas, and stay at the forefront of Upper GI and oesophageal surgery.
It was especially rewarding to see our team present two research papers, both of which I had the privilege to supervise. Their work reflects the depth of clinical inquiry and commitment to improving outcomes for patients undergoing complex gastrointestinal procedures.
The sessions provided valuable insights, particularly around:
- Oesophageal function assessment using advanced techniques such as EndoFLIP, enhancing our understanding of motility and post-surgical physiology.
- The growing emphasis on quality of life following cancer surgery — a concept I have long championed as integral to true patient recovery.
- The role of PET-CT in identifying patients most likely to benefit from pre-operative therapy.
- Ongoing discussions on chemotherapy versus chemoradiotherapy in conjunction with surgery for upper GI cancers.
It’s inspiring to see how rapidly the field is evolving, with innovation continuing to reshape how we understand, treat, and support patients facing upper gastrointestinal cancers.