Few areas in General Surgery have had such an accentuated increase in knowledge and development over the last decade as Abdominal Wall Surgery. Sensing this movement and perceiving the need for dedicated attention, the group of young surgeons embarked on this industrious initiative that has been the Portuguese Hernia and Abdominal Wall Society (SPHPA).

SPHPA’s mission is to provide opportunities for learning, participation, development, and research on the pathology of the abdominal wall for surgeons and other interested professions, contributing to the progressive improvement of the quality of care in this area.

We aim to achieve this by:

•    Disseminating and valuing Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery

•    Providing continuous update and training

•    Providing opportunities for discussion and sharing of knowledge

•    Promoting quality as a desideratum of hernia care

•    Cultivating multidisciplinary approach

•    Encourage innovation and scientific production

•    Foster health literacy and both patient and citizen participation in this area

In our little existence, less than four years, we have already organized 9 webinars on central aspects of hernia surgery, starting by incisional hernia prevention. We did several hands-on courses, namely on basic standard techniques as Lichtenstein and we organized a cadaver workshop. We have already organized 2 annual meetings, with great level and value in both participation and level of discussion, and soon we will have the 3rd Annual Meeting of SPHPA at the Hotel do Parque, next to the Bom Jesus de Braga, next 17th and 18th November. This year’s motto is Climbing Towards Excellent in Hernia Surgery, and we count on everyone’s participation. We will hold several pre-congress courses, the most emblematic of which is an animal simulation course held on 16 November at the CCEA.

We also created a Research Grant which, although humble, aims to support and encourage research in abdominal wall hernia pathology in Portugal. We are preparing the Journal Club SPHernia with the aim not only to disseminate the most recent innovations and discoveries in this area but also to contribute to the development of scientific literacy and critical appraisal of published works among interested professionals. We want to start an Online “Wallstorming”, a periodic discussion with a fixed faculty of experts, that will gave the opportunity for our associates to present and share ideas on complex clinical cases. We approved the regulation of the SPHPA’s Residents Commission, which has been tireless in its activities and promises us much for the future. We are already planning a cadaver workshop for early 2024, where we will be able to learn and develop advanced minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of abdominal wall hernias.

A collaboration with the Advances In Surgery channel will undoubtedly contribute to several of our goals, as we would have a great platform on which to disseminate information on our activities and, with time, build a library of materials and events.

Board:

Chairman - Gabriel Paiva de Oliveira

Secretary - André Oliva

Treasurer - António Ferreira

SPHPA ANUAL Meeting 

Usually in the mid-November each year.

NEXT - 3ª Reunião da SPHPA - November 17th and 18th (Hotel do Parque, Braga).

SPHPA´s JOURNAL CLUB 

Dates and frequency to be reviewed.

WALLSTORMING ONLINE

Periodic meetings to present and discuss specific cases of patients with hernias with complexity criteria.

Online format.

Research Grant

With the aim of promoting research and supporting partners in this activity, we launched the Research Grant.