During such an event, a set of 3-5 doctors specialized in the same surgical area, but with different experiences, will answer questions pertaining to a specific aspect of their practice. It is an interactive event which aims to present scientific information in a way that is different from the conventional conferences, as it gives the opportunity to find out distinct professional opinions on the same subject and it also allows participants to directly ask their own questions.

The purpose of the event is for each one of them to share their personal expertise and advice for students with an interest in a surgical technique. The structure of the event will be presented by a moderator who will also ensure a balanced discussion and at the end will be addressing the questions from the participants. Each doctor will have a short presentation of 5-10 minutes and at the end 10-15 minutes will be reserved for questions and remarks between the panelists and from the audience. The duration of this event is 60-90 minutes.

Theme: Pediatric Surgery - current state-of-the-art and future prospects

Pediatric Surgery is a vast specialty with various pathologies including abdominal, uro-genital and thoracic surgery in patients under the age of 18. It requires great experience and special care as it can have life-lasting consequences on a child’s development and life in general. Therefore, in order to ensure the best care, there is a need for continuous education, research and exchange of ideas, as we are trying to promote through our premiere event - Panel Discussion. This event will reunite pediatric surgeons with special interests in Urology, Thoracic Surgery, Abdominal Surgery and Pediatric Gynecology, in order to ensure a balanced and complex view of this specialty for our participants.

Our invited speakers are from Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Lyon, France:

• Prof. Mouriquand Pierre - He is a founding member of the European Society for Pediatric Urology and has contributed to more than 200 publications as author and co-author. He has also given over 400 lectures and has a special interest in uro-genital malformations in the pediatric population. Being a visiting professor and organizing international meetings on multiple occasions, he will be sharing once again his experience with the future generation of surgeons and will be eager to answer their questions.
• Dr. Hameury Frederic - He is an experienced surgeon, passionate about using the latest technology in the Operating Room. He was educated in prestigious university hospitals such as Necker Children Hospital in Paris and University Hospital of Nantes. His special interests include thoracic & abdominal surgery with laparoscopic and open techniques. He also performs complex surgeries in oncologic patients, as part of the multidisciplinary team irreplaceable in these cases.
• Dr. Gorduza Daniela-Brândușa - She is a member of DSD-life, an international research project aiming to improve clinical care in individuals with differences of sex development (intersex conditions). Also an author to many publications in peer-reviewed journals and with a vast experience in the field of Pediatric Surgery, she has a special interest in Pediatric Gynecology, about which she will be talking in her presentation.
• Dr. Bouty Aurore - She has a special interest in the surgical correction of congenital malformations of the urogenital system, especially hypospadias. Also she has done research using Next Generation Sequencing in the molecular mechanisms underlying penile development and hypospadias.With her experience, including the last 7 years that she spent at The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia she will present the possibilities of combining research with current surgical practice.