Greece hosts groundbreaking surgical congress focusing on innovation and education
Athens is set to host one of the most significant medical gatherings of the year with the 34th Panhellenic Congress of Surgery & International Surgical Forum, taking place from 19 to 23 November 2025 at the Megaron Athens International Conference Centre. Organised by the Hellenic Surgical Society, the event is expected to attract over 1,500 delegates from Greece and abroad, showcasing major advances in surgical practice and education.
The congress's official opening ceremony, accessible to the public, is scheduled for the evening of 19 November and will feature a keynote address by eminent astrophysicist Professor Stamatis Krimizis, highlighting the forum’s interdisciplinary openness and prestige. The scientific programme is comprehensive, integrating seminars, pre-congress events, and five specialised workshops aimed at hands-on training in cutting-edge surgical techniques and technological applications. Organisers emphasise that combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience remains crucial for the professional development of both early-career and experienced surgeons.
A hallmark of this year’s congress is a renewed focus on the education and career development of young surgeons. An innovative initiative titled “Meet the Program Directors,” launching on 21 November, provides medical students, trainees, and junior surgeons the unique opportunity to engage directly with directors of leading international surgical programmes. This platform facilitates discussion on education, research, and career pathways abroad. Complementing this is the interactive quiz competition “The Surgical Arena,” which tests participants’ knowledge and decision-making in general surgery within a team-based competitive framework. With 23 teams registered nationwide, this event has exceeded the organisers’ expectations, signalling strong engagement from the next generation of Greek surgeons.
Research also features prominently in the congress agenda. The second Surgical Research Day will spotlight 25 selected trainees presenting their protocols, competing for a €3,000 funding prize. The best research will be showcased in the subsequent 35th Panhellenic Congress of Surgery. A significant milestone of the congress is the launch of an international collaboration between the Hellenic Journal of Surgery and the global journal Surgery. This partnership includes a joint competition resulting in selected works published across both journals and featured presentations during the congress, thus enhancing the international visibility of Greek surgical research.
The forum underscores Greece’s integration into the global surgical community, with the participation of prominent international organisations such as the Association for Academic Surgery, the American College of Surgeons – Greek Chapter, the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland. Numerous Greek specialty societies also contribute through focused roundtable sessions, facilitating a broad, multidisciplinary scientific dialogue.
The themes of the congress align with current challenges and innovations in surgical care, ranging from artificial intelligence and robotic surgery to molecular oncology, ageing population implications, surgical safety, and educational innovation. The comprehensive scientific programme spans diverse topics including minimally invasive surgery, precision medicine, bioethics, quality in surgical practice, surgical infections, mental health in surgery, and sustainable practices, reflecting the multifaceted nature of modern surgery.
The organising committee, led by Professors Nikolaos I. Nikiteas, Konstantinos Alexiou, and Nikolaos Sikalias, emphasises the event’s mission to address the continuous educational needs of Greek surgeons and to foster dialogue across the public, private, and academic sectors. They highlight the importance of embracing technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence in clinical practice, a field gaining increased awareness and training opportunities among surgeons, as evidenced by recent international studies documenting rising engagement with AI education.
In support of nurturing future professionals, medical students benefit from free access to the congress, reinforcing the critical connection between the established surgical community and the upcoming generation. The event also promotes active exchange through the International Forum of Medical Students and Junior Doctors, which has become a distinctive feature in parallel scientific meetings across Greece.
The 34th Panhellenic Congress of Surgery & International Surgical Forum represents not only a convergence of scientific excellence but also a commitment to innovation, education, and international cooperation in the surgical field. Its broad-based agenda and diverse participant profile underscore Greece’s role as a regional leader in surgical science and professional development.