Preface to the 6th edition of European Perspective of Thoracic Surgery
This special issue of the Journal of Thoracic Disease (JTD) represents the sixth edition of a collection of invited lectures presented during the past European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) Annual Conference. In particular this issue includes selected invited lectures presented during the last ESTS meeting held in Ljubljana, Slovenia in 2018.
During the last few years, ESTS has become the largest organization representing general thoracic surgeons worldwide with more than 1,600 members registered from European and non European Countries. In parallel with the growth of the Society the Annual Congress has witnessed a continuous improvement in attendance and quality. Delegates from 5 continents gather each year to improve their knowledge and technical skills through the most up to date evidence and experiences communicated by the most authoritative experts in the field.
Networking is also another important aspect that has always characterised this conference. Junior and senior clinicians have many opportunities to intermingle during the several educational and social events establishing long-lasting professional and personal relationships.
Education and training is where ESTS invests the largest amount of resources. It represents an investment for the future of our specialty in respect with the core values and mission of the Organisation devoted to improve quality in thoracic surgery.
The last ESTS Annual Meeting, the 26th of our history, took place in Ljubljana, Slovenia. More than 1,200 delegates from all over the world attended the congress, which was a huge success.
As mentioned above, this special issue of the JTD collects a selection of the most innovative and state of the art invited lectures presented during the meeting.
Once again it was a privilege for the two of us to co-edit this new edition of the European Perspective in Thoracic Surgery.
The manuscripts selected for this collection are only a sample of the many outstanding lectures presented last year during the congress and it was difficult to handpick a few of them. We think those included in this volume represent some of the most innovative and interesting subjects.
World-renown thoracic surgeon academicians have been invited to write a manuscript based on their lectures. Topics include evidence for surgical management of oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer; enhanced recovery and patient reported outcomes; Treatment strategies in elderly patients with lung cancer; the importance of non-technical skills to improve individual and team performance in surgery; completeness of training in thoracic surgery including operative logbook and transitioning from residency to faculty; tips and tricks for a safe medicolegal practice.
Once again we are very appreciative of the hard and qualitative work performed by all authors who contributed to this issue.
We hope that these contributions will inspire and guide all surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists and allied health professionals who each day help with passion and professionalism thousands of patients across the World to face their difficult time ensuring an holistic approach to the management of lung cancer.
Acknowledgements
None.
