SIGMUM’s Conference of Surgery and Surgical Education 2023

Welcome to the SIGMUM’s very first surgical conference!

Our conference is a highly anticipated event that brings together surgeons, medical students, housemen, and medical officers from Malaysia and beyond. With a diverse audience expected from renowned institutions and hospitals, our conference offers a unique platform for networking, learning, and collaboration.

Our lineup of international and national surgeon speakers will share their expertise, insights, and best practices, covering the latest advancements in surgical techniques and technologies, as well as the surgical specialization pathways in Malaysia, Singapore and Australia!

With hands-on workshops and interactive discussions, attendees will have the opportunity to enhance their skills, expand their knowledge, and stay up-to-date with the ever-evolving field of surgery.

Don’t miss this transformative learning experience! Secure your spot today with our early bird ticket prices and join us at SIGMUM’s Conference of Surgery and Surgical Education for a dynamic and enriching event.

Invited Faculties & Presentation Summary

Surgical Education

This presentation covers the comparison between traditional and modern surgical teaching methods, whilst coming to the conclusion that the traditional teaching method is no longer relevant in today’s day and age. Teaching methods have evolved with the introduction of E-learning, robotics, and even the pandemic in 2020. It also stresses the importance of being able to adapt to change, which is the strongest asset anyone can have.

What It Takes to be A Surgeon

A general surgeon handles both preoperative and postoperative management, having the need to cover a broad spectrum of disease, including both elective and emergency surgeries. They do not only need to deal with the patient, but their families and the surgeon’s own supervisors. To be a surgeon, it requires strong and persistent values in order to be a good surgeon as many challenges will come in their way. The details of housemanship were discussed in this presentation, including its objective and the responsibilities of a houseman. This presentation also demonstrated the need for general surgeons in Malaysia.

Approach to A Patient With Breast Disease

The appropriate approach to any mass in the breast is the triple assessment. Triple assessment is made up of 3 domains: clinical, imaging and pathology. The clinical aspect consists of history taking and physical examination while mammography and ultrasound makes up the imaging domain. The pathology of the mass can be determined by either fine needle aspiration or core-cut biopsy. Mammography allows the classification of lesions according to BIRADS classification while breast ultrasound is the main modality for women below 35 who have relatively dense breasts. Masses can be visualised and classified into benign or malignant through imaging. However, the definitive diagnostic test is a core biopsy.

Advances in Management of Colorectal Cancer

In Malaysia, colorectal cancer is known as the 2nd most common cancer. Prevalence is highest amongst the Chinese as well as the male population. Surgery has been the cornerstone for cancer management since the early days. However, surgical interventions for rectal cancer led to many complications such as impotence and urinary incontinence. In the past, Non-Total Mesorectal Excision (non-TME) Anterior Resection, which was done for rectal cancer patients, had a high recurrence rate. The recurrence rate was successfully reduced from 16% to 9% with the introduction of total mesorectal excision. This value was further reduced to 2.4% with the help of neoadjuvant therapy.

Type 2 Diabetes. What is the Best Treatment?

Diabetes is the new pandemic with 500 million documented sufferers with many more pre-diabetic or undiagnosed. Diabetes is a reversible and curable disease, with bariatric surgery proven to be more effective than any medication. The presentation covers the overview of diabetes, its management and relevance of metabolic surgery in treating diabetes mellitus. Metabolic surgery improves hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, fatty liver disease, diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy.

Overview of Peptic Ulcer Disease

The development of effective treatments for H.Pylori infection has made elective surgery for peptic ulcer an unusual procedure. Emergency surgery for complications of peptic ulcer mainly perforation remain a fairly frequent occurrence. For intractable or resistant disease, surgery is another option. However, a less invasive method of surgical treatment is ideal for these patients. HSV has proven to be a successful and well-tolerated alternative to more radical resectional ulcer surgery.

Competency Based Medical Education: How does it differ from tradition based training?

Competency based medical education focuses on outcomes and ability to perform while tradition based is based on expectations and learning objectives. This presentation covers the current trends in medical education, essential competencies in a medical graduate, designing a competency-based curriculum and strategies to implement and maintain quality of this system.

Surgical Emergencies

Acute abdomen is one of the commonest complaints of patients admitted to the emergency unit (405% if ED visits) and is life-threatening and imposes heavy burdens on emergency surgical care providers. This presentation covers the relevant clinical signs, types of conditions and appropriate approach to managing acute abdomen. Presentation of acute abdomen includes severe abdominal pain with acute onset of generally less than 4 days, a tender abdomen and associated symptoms.

Women In Surgery

There are many women in surgery as role models. This includes Dr Nina Starr Braunwald – the first female cardiac surgeon and Dr. Alla Ilyinichna Levushkina – the world’s oldest surgeon. Truth be told, men take up the majority in the surgical field. The challenges women in surgery have to face include male arrogance, strained work life balance, handling both family and career. On the bright side, it is extremely rewarding to face challenges, be able to serve your own gender, gain public recognition and respect as well as being able to work in a team. Women are encouraged to pursue a surgical career in hopes of making the surgical field a more female and child friendly environment.

Trauma Surgery

A trauma surgeon handles both preoperative and postoperative management, having the need to cover a broad spectrum of presentations, mainly conducting emergency surgeries. Trauma surgery often requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving various medical specialists working together to provide comprehensive care. This may include orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, vascular surgeons, plastic surgeons, and more, depending on the nature of the injury. This presentation also demonstrated the lack of trauma specialists in Malaysia.