ASCRS members Dr. David Kleiman and Dr. Peter Marcello recently participated in a two-day event in Amsterdam, hosted by Applied Medical, focused on the role of Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery (HALS) in both Europe and the United States.

The event began with a roundtable discussion exploring how HALS is approached across various healthcare systems, followed by a hands-on cadaver lab led by Drs. Kleiman and Marcello. Surgeons from the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Turkey attended, fostering meaningful dialogue about the challenges and innovations shaping colorectal surgery internationally.

“It was incredibly insightful to learn about the unique landscape and challenges faced in other countries,” said Dr. Kleiman. “For example, I had no idea that in Germany, unless a patient spends at least five days in the hospital after a colectomy, the hospital does not get paid. Therefore, German surgeons have no motivation to reduce the length of stay to fewer than five days!”

The experience underscored the value of international collaboration and how partnerships with industry can expand educational opportunities. “I also think this trip serves as a good example of how appropriately leveraging relationships with industry can allow us to put on events that simply would not be possible without their support,” he added.

Dr. Kleiman also shared that he will soon be meeting with Dr. Zoe Garoufalia, chair of the Young Surgeons Committee of the European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP), to explore opportunities for increased collaboration with the ASCRS Young Surgeons Committee. Additionally, he will serve as one of the Program Committee co-chairs for the 2027 ASCRS Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans, which will be a tripartite meeting.

“Together, these experiences have really sparked an interest in increasing global outreach and building international connections, which I think would be mutually beneficial to all.”