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EFORT 2013 in Istanbul: A look back
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The dust has settled on the Taksim Square and the tents have been folded. During the EFORT meeting, 5-8 June, fortunately disturbances were minimal in Istanbul and the congress could proceed normally. During that week the city shined, bathed in the glory of its ancient mosques, churches and palaces; the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn scintillated under the Byzantine sun: An unforgettable sight. Istanbul acts like a magnet and finally in spite of the media and its televised reports, 93% of the 7,300 registered participants, or more than 6,800 partakers did make the trip to Istanbul for the EFORT meeting and they were not let down.
Of the 200 planned sessions, finally only seven had to be cancelled. This represents 3.5% of all sessions, a remarkable achievement due to the hard work, enthusiasm, solidarity and flexibility of the participating speakers and presenters. The Turkish colleagues were always ready to jump in, and the EFORT head office remained vigilant throughout. Let them all be acknowledged here.
The awards ceremony was well attended and the Jacques Duparc (posters), Free Papers, Tribology, Allied Health, and Industry awards were distributed to the prize winners. Notably Stéphane Pelet from Canada gleaned awards in both the Best Poster and the best Free Paper categories. Congratulations to all the prize winners and thank you for keeping the standards of our profession so high.
This year, the invited region was the Societies of Latin American Orthopaedics and Traumatology Federation (SLAOT) grouping 20 countries, 21 societies and 43,000 orthopaedic surgeons under the leadership of Professor José Sergio Franco. The invited nation was Brazil with Arnaldo José Hernandez, President of the Brazilian Orthopaedic Society (SBOT). EFORT sincerely thanks the Latin American colleagues from the many countries of their vast region for their presence that contributed to the success of the EFORT meeting.
Congress highlights were many. Professor Celâl Sengör of the Istanbul Technical University gave a magnificent overview of the development of science in Anatolia and allowed us insight into the Turkish soul. Jean Dubousset, the Erwin Morscher lecturer, emphazised the importance of equilibrium and stability for orthopaedic practice. Katsuro Tomita, the Michael Freeman lecturer, presented his amazing technique of vertebral body removal from a posterior approach. Excellent sessions touched upon many orthopaedic topics such as the benefits of navigation for TKA, the positive results obtained by manipulation under anesthesia for frozen shoulder, the longevity of vitamin E-containing polyethylene cups, or new concepts in the handling of periprosthetic fractures. It is impossible to cite here all the innovations, outcomes, results and novel techniques presented. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to all the speakers, presenters and organizers that actively participated in all the sessions. We especially recognize the help received from some of our speakers who jumped in when needed and the willing assistance that we received from Prof. Önder Aydngöz, President of the Turkish Orthopaedic Society, and his colleagues, who never hesitated when asked for a helping hand. This is the positive attitude that makes our orthopaedic community strong especially in times of adversity.
The Charity Run/Walk was a success with over 40 participants taking part in the wonderful surroundings of the picturesque Maçka Park at sunrise. Brave are our early risers indeed, 6 o’clock (!) to come and run or walk for the benefit of the EFORT Foundation. Congratulations to the winners and encouragements to all the participants. See you back and many more in London.
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Orthopaedic societies from all over the world are recognizing EFORT. The General Assembly enthusiastically welcomed three new Associated Scientific Members. The Australian Orthopaedic Association is now a member of EFORT. Truly, this represents a global outreach to the antipodes and EFORT is proud to have this new relationship. The Nordic Orthopaedic Federation, including seven Nordic countries (Sweden, Finland, Estonia, The Netherlands, Iceland, Norway and Denmark) is now associated with EFORT and certainly this will boost our mutual activities. The Cameroonian Orthopaedic Society was elected an Associate Scientific Member and this will allow for the creation of new projects with this active African partner.
Many young colleagues have benefitted from EFORT fellowships and for some it has literally changed their lives and the EFORT Foundation has played a fundamental role in developing this activity. A new combined Bone & Joint/EFORT Travelling Fellowship program is born under the leadership of Mark Patterson and Philippe Neyret. This is a great opportunity for young and upcoming orthopaedists to hone their knowledge and bring home new techniques.
Our industrial partners have played a major role in the success of the Istanbul EFORT meeting. Over 160 organizations participated in the meeting and occupied 3,500 square meters of space. The industry-sponsored scientific symposia were of high value and the EFORT board is thankful to the partners that cooperated in Istanbul despite the perceived adverse situation.
A great and special thank you goes to Professor Hakki Sur, the local organizer, and his lovely spouse Lise. Sur made all the difference; he was everywhere, controlled everything and encouraged all of us. Thanks to his outstanding contribution the Istanbul meeting will remain a magnificent memory to all the participants.
The EFORT head office under the leadership of CEO Adrian Ott functioned remarkably well. The preparation of the Congress was hard work indeed; the participation in Istanbul was not always simple and many difficulties had to be surmounted. In the weeks following such a large meeting many tasks are still at hand before a well deserved period of rest. Thanks to all for your unrelenting efforts.
The MCI team under Annette Gleich did a fantastic job in organizing the venue and taking care of a multitude of demands due to the unfolding events around Taksim Square. The team handed queries and changes smoothly and in harmony. EFORT is grateful for the collaboration.
After the Istanbul meeting a new team will lead EFORT. Manuel Cassiano-Neves is the 2013-2014 President seconded by Stephen Cannon, 1st Vice President and Enric Cáceres Palou, 2nd Vice President. Maurilio Marcacci has been elected Treasurer. We wish them all the success for their arduous task of leading the EFORT team.
The 14th EFORT Congress in Istanbul will go down in history as one of the great EFORT congresses, not only because of the socio-political events occurring coincidentally during the very week of the meeting but mostly because of the high quality of the scientific sessions and the enthusiasm of the participants to make the EFORT meeting the showcase of orthopaedic endeavor.
See you all in London for the 15th EFORT meeting in collaboration with the British Orthopaedic Association.
Geneva, 21 June 2013
Prof. Dr. Pierre Hoffmeyer, Immediate Past President EFORT