From June 14th to 16th, it was that time again: The 64th Austrian Surgeons Congress took place in Salzburg. This year, the focus was on “Standards – Training – Visions” in surgery. A super important meeting point for surgeons from all over Austria to present their latest research, exchange ideas, and stay updated on the latest trends.

The Vyral team was also there. Our team consists of highly motivated professionals who are dedicated to improving surgical practice. At this event, we were not just there for fun but also made significant contributions.

Our contributions:

Daniel Rezaie spoke in the P1. poster session about cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneally metastasized colorectal cancer. Patrick Kirchweger presented posters in the same session on the prognostic value of metastasis distribution after curatively intended resection of the pancreas, interdisciplinary centralization in liver surgery, and small bowel diverticulitis. Antonia Punzengruber, Lorenz Danhel, and Antonia Fritz presented posters in the P1 and P3 poster sessions on various topics such as late bleeding after esophageal resection, lost gallstones during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and endoscopic management of necrotic gastric sleeve insufficiency after esophageal resection.

In the lecture sessions, Paul Punkenhofer spoke about the development of endoscopic gastroenterostomy using LAMS as a standardized technique, Theresa Kartzer about the establishment of the DaVinci X system in thoracic surgery and pulmonary complications after esophageal resection, and Lukas Havranek about the emergency care of a closed-loop obstruction in the post-traumatic right-sided diaphragmatic hernia. Patrick Kirchweger also spoke about circulating tumor DNA in gastrointestinal malignancies.

Prizes, prizes, prizes!

And now the highlight: We won prizes!

• Patrick Kirchweger won three prizes: First place at the “Young Surgeons Forum” for his lecture on circulating tumor DNA, first place in the poster prize for his work on metastasis distribution after resection of pancreatic carcinoma, and the Hans Werner Waclawiczek Prize for the best project with a clinically oriented question.
• Theresa Kratzer won second place at the “Young Surgeons Forum” for her lecture on pulmonary complications after esophageal resection.
• Antonia Punzengruber received second place in the poster prize for her work on “Failure to rescue” in late bleeding after esophageal resection.
• Daniel Rezaie received third place in the poster prize for his work on cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in peritoneally metastasized colorectal cancer.

We are incredibly proud of our team and the recognition we have received. It shows that our hard work is bearing fruit and that we are actively involved in shaping the future of surgery in Austria!

Thanks to everyone for your efforts and congratulations to the winners! Keep it up!