Dear Surgical Colleagues

In the latest episode of the Inside Surgery podcast, hosts Dr Alice Tsai and Dr Monica Ortenzi, alongside Professor Tan Arulampalam, sit down with Professor Alberto Arezzo, General Secretary of the EAES. They explore the innovative CLASSICA project, an EU-funded initiative connecting five leading cancer surgery centres across Europe to integrate artificial intelligence for cancer classification during operations. The discussion covers the project’s phases, objectives, and its potential impact on surgical practice, while also addressing the clinical, legal, and ethical challenges of implementing AI and Indocyanine Green (ICG) in the operating theatre. Professor Arezzo also shares valuable advice for aspiring surgeons, highlighting the importance of ambition driven by addressing unmet clinical needs.

This episode offers valuable insights into the evolving role of technology in surgery and is well worth a listen for those interested in surgical innovation and patient care.

Listen here

Background information

As these are such prestene project, we would like to provide you with some background information.

The European Commission has invested heavily in scientific networking across European countries in recent years. We are privileged to already represent the largest science and education network in surgery in Europe, with >4,000 members.

As a scientific network, we offer support as partners in several Horizon Europe projects.

CLASSICA is an EU-funded project investigating how AI technology can be used for cancer classification in the operating room. CLASSICA will clinically validate a new AI-driven intraoperative decision support technology across multiple clinics, surgical teams and countries, distinguishing between cancerous and non-cancerous tissue in real time. Check the CLASSICA website for more information.

PALPABLE aims to pioneer a new generation of palpation tools based on a synthesis of cutting-edge technologies essential for the identification and visualization of tissue abnormalities in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). By improving tactile sensing to achieve internal palpation, the method of characterizing tissues based on their depth, size and stiffness will also be improved. More information on the PALPABLE website.

EndoTheranostics ERC SyG Grant aims to revolutionize CRC screening and treatment through the development of a tip-growth or eversion robot with a sleeve-like structure.

The robot will be able to extend deep into the colon and sense the environment through multimodal imaging and sensing, providing real-time polyp detection and tissue characterization via AI-assisted multimodal imaging. The system will allow efficient polyp removal by transporting a “miniature mobile operating room” equipped with microsurgical instruments to the target through the lumen of the eversion robot. Revolutionary technologies will be developed on purpose, in the field of sensing and robotic mechanics, actuated with a unique AI control under human-machine cooperation, something still unprecedented in surgery. Have a look at the EndoTheranostics website for more information.

In all these examples EAES acts as a partner offering on the one hand expertise to guide crucial decisions in the project development and on the other hand offering dissemination to the thousands of medical and technical members of the society through the many channels where EAES is present.

Therefore, consider EAES as a partner in your next proposal for a Horizon Europe project or similar. We are at your complete disposal.

Alberto Arezzo

EAES General Secretary