EAES 2026: IHU Strasbourg’s Expertise at the Heart of Flexible Endoscopy Training

From June 23 to 26, the 34th International Congress of the EAES (European Association for Endoscopic Surgery) was held in Athens, Greece. Among the highlights of the program was the “H01: Hands-on Course in Flexible Endoscopy”, held on June 23 and led by Prof. Silvana Perretta.

To lead this intensive session, a faculty of international experts joined Prof. Perretta: Andras Legner, Maria Vannucci, Rita Rodriguez Luna, Seung-Hun Chon, Matyas Fehervari, and Pavlos Antypas.

The course was a resounding success, welcoming 12 practitioners from 9 countries (including Bulgaria, Spain, the UK, Germany, Italy, Poland, Taiwan, and Venezuela), underscoring global interest in these cutting-edge training programs.

Hands-On Training in Endoscopic Techniques

Following a comprehensive introduction to complication management by Dr. Seung-Hun Chon, participants headed to the ATTC (Anatomy Techniques and Training Center) facilities in Maroussi.

Thanks to the support of our industry partners—Boston Scientific, EndoFresh, and EndoTools—the technical facilities enabled participants to perform precise procedures on various training models.

The attending surgeons were able to practice several innovative procedures, such as:

• Refining basic skills using the BEST box (designed by the IHU Strasbourg);
• Mastering suturing techniques for endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG);
• Managing real-world complications (bleeding control, stent and pigtail placement, vacuum therapy).

IHU’s Educational Expertise Highly Praised

The strength of this format lies above all in the hands-on immersion and interaction with experts. At the end of the day, participant feedback was particularly encouraging: “overall excellent course”, “very useful and very practical,” or simply “perfect—cannot be better.”

This highly positive feedback confirms the importance of continuing to offer immersive training programs that meet the real needs of surgeons and healthcare teams.

Would you like to participate in our upcoming sessions?
Find all the information about our training courses on flexible endoscopy.

Surgical Data Science Summer School 2026: a landmark success in the 5th edition

The 5th edition of the Surgical Data Science (SDS) Summer School was successfully hosted by IHU Strasbourg and the CAMMA research lab, from 8 to 12 June 2026. Now an unmissable event on the international calendar, the summer school set out to break down barriers between computer science and medicine, in order to help shape the surgical artificial intelligence of tomorrow.

Clinicians and computer scientists: jointly envisioning tomorrow’s operating room

The founding concept of the week remains unchanged: bring together 12 clinicians and 12 computer scientists selected from around the world. Working side by side, they pooled their expertise to learn about and design technological tools that answer genuine clinical needs. This immersion outside their comfort zone introduced them to the transformational potential of surgical data science, culminating in presentations tackling a real-world clinical need.

From world-renowned expert lectures to clinical reality

Under the leadership of Prof. Nicolas Padoy (Director of Computer Science and AI Research at IHU Strasbourg), the program was built around high-level expert presentations and hands-on sessions on the institute’s experimental platform.

The scientific discussions spanned the full range of challenges in surgical AI, from the fundamentals of video analysis and deep learning to the realities of the operating room itself: surgical workflow analysis, automated quality assessment, 3D modelling, and understanding of human factors. The exchanges also addressed the complex path of clinical validation and the opportunities of MedTech entrepreneurship, a reminder that every algorithm must adapt to the demands and realities of the operating room and the patient.

To close this intensive week, Friday afternoon was dedicated to the group-project presentations. Divided into four interdisciplinary teams, participants showcased innovative prototypes developed in record time. Before a jury of experts impressed by the quality of the solutions, each group demonstrated its ability to ideate and deeply think about AI tools that concretely address real clinical problems.

A collective achievement

This anniversary edition is the fruit of the remarkable work of a dedicated organizing committee: Pietro Mascagni, Vinkle Srivastav, Lalith Sharan, Agnès Gronfier, Justine Chadefaux, Prof. Silvana Perretta, and Prof. Nicolas Padoy.

Our teams warmly thank our industry sponsors (Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Intuitive, Medtronic, Asensus Surgical, Scialytics) as well as our academic partners (CAMMA, ITI Healthtech, University of Strasbourg, Inserm, Grand Est AI Cluster ENACT, EAES, MICCAI) for their unwavering suppor

🚀 To discover the program and join future editions:
Visit the official Edu4sds website

B.E.S.T. Innovation Course 2026: Imagine the Future of MedTech in Strasbourg and Taiwan

Are you a medical student, engineer, designer, or young entrepreneur who dreams of turning a disruptive idea into a high-impact medical device? The B.E.S.T. (Business Engineering and Surgical Technologies) Innovation Course is now accepting applications for its 2026 edition. Initiated and passionately led by Prof. Silvana Perretta, this globally unique program of excellence has established itself as the essential springboard for future leaders in surgical innovation.

This year marks a historic milestone with the 15^th Strasbourg edition of B.E.S.T. Innovation Week, to be held at the IHU Strasbourg from August 24 to 28, 2026. To meet international demand, an preliminary session will be held at IRCAD Taiwan from July 20 to 24, 2026.

A Unique Concept: Combining Science, Engineering, and Business

At the heart of the B.E.S.T. philosophy lies the breaking down of disciplinary barriers. During a week of total immersion, participants set aside lengthy theoretical lectures to experience an intensive learning ecosystem based on “learning by doing.”

The program combines:

• A hands-on introduction to minimally invasive surgery and cutting-edge medical-surgical technologies,
• “Design thinking” and engineering workshops to develop viable prototypes,
• Intensive training in the key principles of business and entrepreneurship, essential for understanding intellectual property, the regulatory framework, and fundraising strategies.

The highlight of the week? An innovation marathon where multidisciplinary teams compete to pitch their MedTech startup projects to a jury of experts and investors.

An Elite International Faculty

To guide students through this human and scientific journey, the course brings together an exceptional panel of clinical experts, renowned engineers, and professionals from the global biomedical industry. The 2026 Faculty will include: Mariel Bolhouse, Vivian De Rujiter, Debbie Keller, Dennis McWilliams, Bruno Mutet, John O’Dea, Ashley Seehusen, Stefano Stramigioli, Elliott Street, Lee Swanstrom, Maria Vannucci, and Natasha Waters.

Laure Krug, a visual artist, will participate in B.E.S.T. for the third consecutive year to guide participants in creating a unique collaborative artistic performance.

How can I participate?

The number of spots for this elite bootcamp is strictly limited to ensure high-quality instruction and small-group work. Don’t miss this opportunity to join this global community of healthcare innovators.

Pre-registration is now open: Access the pre-registration form

For more information on the program and course content: Visit the official B.E.S.T. website

Medical Simulation: The ENSIST Project Unveils a New Tool for Echoendoscopy Training

The Strasbourg-based company InSimo, which specializes in developing simulation software for medical and surgical training, has taken a new step in the rollout of its high-fidelity simulation solutions: it is launching a new module dedicated to endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) training on its online ultrasound simulation platform, diSplay U/S.

This breakthrough is the result of the ENSIST project, a collaboration between InSimo and the IHU Strasbourg. The project benefited from the R&D&I program supported by the Grand Est Region and Bpifrance to support collaborative R&D&I and innovation projects. Beyond the project itself, this success celebrates an entrepreneurial story rooted in Strasbourg, which began thirteen years ago when InSimo took its first steps within the IHU itself.

The IHU’s clinical expertise at the heart of the simulator

EUS is a minimally invasive technique that combines endoscopy and ultrasound to accurately visualize the digestive organs and surrounding structures. It enables the detection, characterization, and biopsy of deep lesions, and is a key examination for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. It is a particularly complex technique that requires a long learning curve to master. The contribution of online digital simulation via diSplay U/S illustrates the significant added value of accessible, innovative tools in meeting international training needs. The development of the EUS module benefited from the expertise of Dr. Leonardo Sosa-Valencia, a recognized expert in endoscopic ultrasound at the IHU Strasbourg and director of the ITEC-IHU international endoscopic ultrasound course, which recently celebrated its 20th edition.

Photo credit: InSimo

Thanks to this medical-technical partnership, the diSplay U/S online simulator now offers an immersive, standardized learning experience, ideal for self-directed training for residents and practitioners seeking to advance their skills.

A comprehensive course available online

The echoendoscopy module is designed to guide learners’ step by step through the intricacies of this specialty. Integrated into the diSplay U/S cloud interface, it offers rich and practical content:

• 9 progressive exercises and clinical cases,
• A step-by-step introduction to the precise and demanding surgical techniques of minimally invasive surgery,
• 9 exercices progressifs et cas cliniques,
• The fundamentals of EUS made accessible,
• Guided identification of the key anatomical structures essential for diagnosis.

By making this rigorous training program accessible via a platform that can be accessed from any computer, the ENSIST project breaks down the geographical and material barriers to surgical training. This key milestone demonstrates the strength of Strasbourg’s translational research, which combines public sector resources, the agility of an innovative company, and medical excellence to build a safer and more connected healthcare system.

Learn more about the ENSIST project: ENSIST project

Learn more about InSimo: www.insimo.com

Discover the diSplay U/S online ultrasound simulation module: www.insimo.com/fr/display-ultrasound/

IHU Strasbourg will participate in the 34th International Congress of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES), to be held June 23–26, 2026, in Athens, Greece. On this occasion, our experts will once again lead the advanced practical course in flexible endoscopy.

Flexible Endoscopy: An Essential Skill for the Gastrointestinal Surgeon

As surgical techniques evolve toward increasingly less invasive approaches, the integration of flexible endoscopy into modern gastrointestinal surgery is no longer merely an option, but a necessity.

To address this critical challenge, the IHU Strasbourg has been organizing, since 2016 and at the express request of the EAES, an exclusive hands-on workshop during the annual European congress. Largely inspired by the degree programs offered at the IHU Strasbourg, this course offers approximately twenty participants the opportunity to deepen their endoscopic skills.

An intensive program led by world-renowned experts

Under the direction of Prof. Silvana Perretta, with the support of international experts in endoscopic surgery, participants will have exclusive access to the latest technologies and techniques.

Learning is structured around clinical case videos and intensive hands-on sessions. The program covers a very broad range of procedures:

• Complication management: Endoscopic management of common gastrointestinal surgical complications (bleeding, perforations, leaks, fistulas, and strictures);
• Advanced resections: ESD, third-space resection, and full-thickness resection;
• Gastric plication, gastric mucosal ablation, and suturing techniques…

See you in Athens!

To ensure the highest quality of instruction and personalized support, enrollment is limited to 20 participants.

Practical information:

• Event: EAES 2026 / H01. Hands-on course: Flexible Endoscopy
• Hands-on course date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
• Course location: ATTC, Sorou 35, Marousi 151 25, Greece
• Course Director: Prof. Silvana Perretta

👉 View the detailed program and reserve your spot on our dedicated page: www.ihu-strasbourg.eu

👉 EAES website: eaes.eu