Colorectal THRIVE 2024

Congress Where Surgeons THRIVE.

April 14 - 17, 2024 | Fribourg

THRIVE 2025: March, 30 - April 2, 2025 in Fribourg/Switzerland

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Portrait foto of Michel Adamina

“At Colorectal THRIVE 2024, you will learn from world-renowned colorectal surgeons. Our mission is clear: To make the global community of surgeons THRIVE. Now and in the future. Join us in magical Fribourg, Switzerland this April 2024, onsite or online, and achieve up to 27 CME credits.”

Prof. Michel Adamina, Founder of Colorectal THRIVE, Chairman of the Department of Surgery , Cantonal Hospital Fribourg & Full Professor of Surgery, University of Fribourg, Switzerland

Our partners

Logo EAESLogo HFR
Logo Uni FribourgLogo European Crohn's and Colitis OrganisationBrand Logo of Europe Heriditary Tumour Group
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ABOUT THE CONGRESS

What is Colorectal THRIVE 2024?

Colorectal THRIVE - Congress Where Colorectal Surgeons THRIVE: Four days of state-of-the-art professional education in colorectal surgery. Onsite in the historic city of Fribourg, Switzerland, or online. Earn up to 27 CME credits.

At Colorectal THRIVE in April 2024, 40 key opinion leaders from 12 countries will cover all of colorectal surgery for you: From cancer to IBD, and from the management of complications to clinical applications of AI and virtual reality. Further topics include diverticular disease and endometriosis, the latest implications of the microbiome, proctology and pelvic floor, genetic syndromes for the clinician, and prevention and treatment of incisional and parastomal hernias. The choice is yours: Attend all sessions, or book individual days.

Register now to experience: 

  • 3 days of single-stream expert lectures in colorectal surgery

  • 1 full day of interactive colorectal surgery masterclasses, including our Masterclass in Hands-on Robotic Surgery
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Cancer of the rectum -

 Crohn and Colitis -

 Cancer of the Colon -

 Diverticular Disease -

Innovations at work -

Complications -

Pearls of Practice -

Perspective Lectures -

Proctology & Pelvic Floor -

Microbiome Revealed -

Agenda

Programme & Speaker

Full programme

The Main Congress sessions take place from Monday to Wednesday, April 15 - 17, 2024 (book all days or choose individual days).
Participants are awarded up to 20 CME credits for attending the main congress.

Cancer of the Rectum

Crohn and Colitis

Cancer of the Colon

Diverticular Disease

Innovations at work

Complications

Pearls of Pratice

Perspective Lectures

Proctology & Pelvic Floor

Microbiome Revealed

Apr 15, 2024

from

09:10

until

09:15

Opening: Welcome to Colorectal THRIVE

Opening
09:10 – 09:15 Opening: Welcome to Colorectal THRIVE Michel Adamina, Fribourg - CH

Apr 15, 2024

from

09:15

until

09:45

Laparoscopic and robotic CME

Keynote
09:15 - 09:45 Laparoscopic and robotic CME: tips and tricks of a master surgeon Jim Khan, Portsmouth – UK

Apr 15, 2024

from

10:45

until

12:45

Bail out strategies: management of complications

Management of complications
09:45 – 10:15 Prevention and management of low anterior resection syndrome Quentin Denost, Bordeaux – FR
10:15 – 10:45 Risk factors, prevention, and prophylactic mesh for incisional and parastomal hernia Jared Torkington, Cardiff - UK
10:45 – 11:15 Coffee break
11:15 – 11:45 Surgical techniques for incisional and parastomal hernia repair Neil Smart, Exeter – UK
11:45 – 12:15 Pelvic catastrophes and pelvic floor reconstruction André d'Hoore, Leuven - BE
12:15 – 12:45 Anastomosis do leak - what to do when it happens Roel Hompes, Amsterdam – NL

Apr 15, 2024

from

12:45

until

13:15

Perspective lecture

Perspective lecture
12:45 – 13:15 The Editor’s picks in Colorectal Disease Neil Smart, Exeter - UK

Apr 15, 2024

from

13:15

until

14:30

Lunch break

Break

Apr 15, 2024

from

14:30

until

18:00

Pearls of practice – Cancer of the Rectum

Pearls of practice
14:30 – 15:00 Rectal cancer: decision-making based on MRI imaging Gina Brown, London - UK
15:00 – 15:30 Pro and Con of neoadjuvant radiation and chemotherapy in the Watch and Wait era Paris Tekkis, London - UK
15:30 – 16:00 TME surgery: tips and tricks for best practice Esther Consten, Groningen - NL
16:00 – 16:30 From transection to reconstruction, staplers, pouches, TTSS and function Antonino Spinelli, Milano - IT
16:30 – 17:00 Coffee break
17:00 – 17:30 Adjuvant radiation vs completion surgery Juriaan Tuynman, Amsterdam - NL
17:30 – 18:00 Evidence-based risk stratification & practice guideline for rectal cancer Miangela Laclé – Utrecht - NL

Apr 15, 2024

from

18:00

until

18:30

Perspective lecture

Perspective lecture
18:00 – 18:30 Advanced imaging for improved visualisation and teaching Antonino Spinelli, Milano – IT

Apr 15, 2024

from

18:30

until

-

Welcome drinks

Networking

Apr 16, 2024

from

08:30

until

11:30

Pearls of practice – Crohn and Colitis

Pearls of practice
08:30 - 09:00 Updated ECCO guidelines: state of the art surgical practice Janindra Warusavitarne, London – UK
09:00 – 09:30 The perfect Crohn anastomosis: recurrence and function over time Willem Bemelman, Amsterdam – NL & Milano - IT
09:30 – 10:00 (R)evolutions in the management of Crohn fistula Christianne Buskens, Amsterdam - NL
10:00 – 10:30 Robotic IBD surgery – the next frontier Ellen van Eetvelde, Brussel – BE
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 11:30 It takes two to tango – medical approaches and timing of surgery Pascal Juillerat, Fribourg - CH

Apr 16, 2024

from

11:30

until

13:00

Of Microbes, Cancer, and more

Of Microbes, Cancer, and more
11:30 – 12:00 Minimizing surgical site infection: prepping, oral antibiotics, and more Eloy Espín-Basany, Barcelona - ES
12:00 – 12:30 Colorectal cancer and the microbiome in 2024 Phil Quirke, Leeds - UK
12:30 – 13:00 The microbes and the leaks – Reality or fiction? James Kinross, London - UK

Apr 16, 2024

from

13:00

until

14:15

Lunch break

Break

Apr 16, 2024

from

14:15

until

14:45

Of Microbes, Cancer, and more

Of Microbes, Cancer, and more
14:15 – 14:45 Any role left for the Hartmann operation Esther Consten, Groningen - NL

Apr 16, 2024

from

14:45

until

18:45

The Times They Are Changing

The Times They Are Changing
14:45 – 15:15 Big data and algorithms – putting technology at work Ismail Gögenur, Copenhagen - DK
15:15 – 15:45 How will smart robotics revolutionize minimally invasive surgery Jacques Marescaux, Strasbourg - FR
15:45 – 16:15 The frail and the elderly: prehabilitation and pathways of care Isacco Montroni, Faenze - IT
16:15 – 16:45 Coffee break
16:45 – 17:15 PROM and PREM demystified – why would we bother Olivia Sgarbura, Montpellier - FR
17:15 – 17:45 Antiobiotic resistance, new bugs, and new drugs in clinical practice Mohamed Abbas, Geneva - CH
17:45 – 18:15 Beyond TME: technical performance and quality of life Deena Harji, Manchester - UK
18:15 – 18:45 Value based surgery in clinical practice: how to make it happen Omar Faiz, London – UK

Apr 17, 2024

from

08:30

until

11:00

Pearls of practice – Cancer of the colon

Pearls of practice
08:30 - 09:00 Should we stage and treat colon cancer as we do for rectal cancer Gina Brown, London – UK
09:00 – 09:30 Complete mesocolic excision: evidence and implementation pathways Juriaan Tuynman, Amsterdam – NL
09:30 – 10:00 MSI/MMR, BRAF, HER2, and more – implications in surgical decisions Gabriela Möslein, Duisburg – DE
10:00 – 10:30 Cancer at the edges: resection and prognosis of tumors at the flexures and in-between Des Winter, Dublin – IRL
10:30 – 11:00 Locoregional recurrence – time to say goodbye ? HIPEC and CRS revisited ! Olivia Sgarbura, Montpellier - FR

Apr 17, 2024

from

11:00

until

11:30

Coffee Break

Break

Apr 17, 2024

from

11:30

until

13:00

Pearls of practice – diverticular disease

Pearls of practice
11:30 – 12:00 Data-driven practice: elective surgical indications for diverticulosis Matthias Turina, Zürich – CH
12:00 – 12:30 Surgical algorithms and approaches to complicated diverticulitis Amy Lightner, La Jolla - USA
12:30 – 13:00 Pushing the limits: robotic approach to diverticular peritonitis Ellen Van Eetvelde, Brussel – BE

Apr 17, 2024

from

13:00

until

14:00

Perspective lectures

Perspective lecture
13:00 – 13:30 The Best of the BJS for the colorectal surgeon Des Winter, Dublin – CH
13:30 – 14:00 Of leaks, nodes, and more: Image-guided surgery Frédéric Ris, Geneva - CH

Apr 17, 2024

from

14:00

until

Closure and Farewell

Keynote
Download full programme

Masterclasses 2024

All Masterclasses take place on Sunday, April 14, 2024 (choose 1 of 3) and can be booked independently of the Main Congress.

Masterclass in Colorectal Surgery

  • Interactive one-day course 
  • Can be booked independently of the expert lectures
  • 7 CME credits
  • Attendance: Onsite or online
  • PDF copies of the presentations are included
More info

Masterclass in Proctology & Pelvic Floor Disease

  • Interactive one-day course 
  • Can be booked independently of the expert lectures
  • 7 CME credits
  • Attendance: Onsite or online
  • PDF copies of the presentations are included
More info

Masterclass in Hands-on Robotic Surgery

  • Hands-on one-day training course 
  • Can be booked independently of the expert lectures
  • 6 CME credits
  • Attendance: Onsite only (max. 8 participants)
  • Course requirements: Prior robotic training, e.g. TR200 and regular participation in robotic colorectal procedures.
  • Course director: Jim Khan, Portsmouth, UK
  • Details: Course includes lectures, didactic surgical videos, simulation time, performance of intracorporeal anastomosis in an animal model on a daVinci Xi system. 4 instructors will train 8 participants.
More info

Our 40 Expert Speakers in 2024

Eloy Espin Basany

Barcelona, ES

Willem Bemelman

Amsterdam, NL & Milano, IT

Gina Brown

London, UK

Christianne Buskens

Amsterdam, NL

Quentin Denost

Bordeaux, FR

Ellen Van Eetvelde

Brussels, BE

Mark Fox

Alresheim, CH

Omar Faiz

London, UK

Esther Consten

Groningen, Netherlands

Christian Gingert

Zürich, CH

Ismail Gögenur

Copenhagen, DK

Pascal Juillerat

Bern, CH

Deena Harji

Manchester, UK

Roel Hompes

Amsterdam, NL

André d'Hoore

Leuven, BE

Jim Khan

Portsmouth, United Kingdom

James Kinross

London, UK

Rebecca Kraus

Chur, CH

Isacco Montroni

Faenze, IT

Miangela Laclé

Utrecht, Netherlands

Jacques Marescaux

Strasbourg, France

Gabriela Möslein

Duisburg, DE

Guillaume Meurette

Geneva, CH

Sarah Mills

London, UK

Phillip Quirke

Leeds, UK

Frédéric Ris

Geneva, CH

Olivia Sgarbura

Montpellier, FR

Neil Smart

Exeter, UK

Bruno Roche

Geneva, CH

Antonino Spinelli

Milano, IT

Patricia Tejedor

Madrid, ES

Joan Robert-Yap

Geneva, CH

Jared Torkington

London, UK

Des Winter

Dublin, IRL

Matthias Turina

Zurich, CH

Jurriaan Tuynman

Amsterdam, NL

Janindra Warusavitarne

London, UK

Paris Tekkis

London, UK

Mohamed Abbas

Geneva, CH

Amy L. Lightner

La Jolla, USA

Pricing 2024 - Onsite or Virtual

Payment in Swiss Francs: 1 CHF ≈ 1 EUR ≈ 1 US$  //  No VAT is charged for education

Make THRIVE Yours: Watch the Colorectal THRIVE congress at any time and in full length with all presentations as "video on demand" until October 17, 2024.

Buy recording now

Additional online access to Colorectal THRIVE until October 17, 2024 for all holders of a current registration:
- Main congress: 
CHF 100
- Masterclass in Colorectal Surgery:
CHF 50
- Masterclass in Proctology & Pelvic Floor Diseases:
CHF 50

Online access to access to Colorectal THRIVE until October 17, 2024 for unregistered / registration made after the congress ended:
- Main congress: 
CHF 750
- Main congress Trainee: CHF 400

- Masterclass in Colorectal Surgery:
CHF 400
- Masterclass in Colorectal Surgery Trainee: CHF 350

- Masterclass in Proctology & Pelvic Floor Diseases:
CHF 400
- Masterclass in Proctology & Pelvic Floor Diseases Trainee:
CHF 350

Trainee status: applicable until age 32 (birth date must be later than 01.05.1991) – a passport copy has to be uploaded during registration for age verification, else the full registration fee will be charged

Earn up to 27 CME credits upon registration to the main congress and a clinical masterclass

Early Bird

until 31.12.2023

Main Congress  
(Monday-Wednesday)

550 CHF

Main Congress Trainee*

300 CHF

Single day (Mon - Wed)

250 CHF

Single day (Mon - Wed) Trainee*

150 CHF

Additional online access to Colorectal THRIVE until October 17, 2024 for holders of a current registration

100 CHF

Colorectal Masterclass

300 CHF

Colorectal Masterclass Trainee*

250 CHF

Proctology Masterclass

300 CHF

Proctology Masterclass Trainee*

250 CHF

Advanced Robotic hands-on Course (Limited number of participants)

600 CHF

Late Bird

from 01.01 to 31.03.2024

Main Congress  
(Monday-Wednesday)

650 CHF

Main Congress Trainee*

350 CHF

Single day (Mon - Wed)

300 CHF

Single day (Mon - Wed) Trainee*

175 CHF

Additional online access to Colorectal THRIVE until October 17, 2024 for holders of a current registration

100 CHF

Colorectal Masterclass

350 CHF

Colorectal Masterclass Trainee*

300 CHF

Proctology Masterclass

350 CHF

Proctology Masterclass Trainee*

300 CHF

Advanced Robotic hands-on Course (Limited number of participants)

600 CHF

On site registration

rate apply from 01.04.2024

Main Congress  
(Monday-Wednesday)

750 CHF

Main Congress Trainee*

400 CHF

Single day (Mon - Wed)

350 CHF

Single day (Mon - Wed) Trainee*

200 CHF

Additional online access to Colorectal THRIVE until October 17, 2024 for holders of a current registration

100 CHF

Colorectal Masterclass

400 CHF

Colorectal Masterclass Trainee*

350 CHF

Proctology Masterclass

400 CHF

Proctology Masterclass Trainee*

350 CHF

Advanced Robotic hands-on Course (Limited number of participants)

650 CHF

Early Bird

until 31.12.2023

Late Bird

from 01.01. to 31.03.2024

Spring Registration

rates apply from 01.04.2024

Main Congress  
(Monday-Wednesday)

550 CHF

650 CHF

750 CHF

Main Congress Trainee*

300 CHF

350 CHF

400 CHF

Single day (Mon - Wed)

250 CHF

300 CHF

350 CHF

Single day (Mon - Wed) Trainee*

150 CHF

175 CHF

200 CHF

Additional online access to Colorectal THRIVE until October 17, 2024 for holders of a current registration

100 CHF     (requires a registration to the main congress Mon–Wed)

Colorectal Masterclass

300 CHF

350 CHF

400 CHF

Colorectal Masterclass Trainee*

250 CHF

300 CHF

350 CHF

Proctology Masterclass

300 CHF

350 CHF

400 CHF

Proctology Masterclass Trainee *

250 CHF

300 CHF

350 CHF

Advanced Robotic hands-on Course
(
SOLD OUT - waiting list upon request)

600 CHF

600 CHF

650 CHF

Trainee status: applicable until age 32 (birth date must be later than 01.05.1991) – a passport copy has to be uploaded during registration for age verification, else the full registration fee will be charged

CME Credits - Earn up to 27 CME credits

Main congress : 20 CME credits
Masterclass in Colorectal Surgery : 7 CME
Masterclass in Proctology and Pelvic Floor Diseases : 7 CME
Masterclass in hands-on Robitic Surgery : 6 CME

Colorectal THRIVE - Organizing Committee

The brains and hands at work to make it happen. Our goal: To establish the world’s leading comprehensive congress for colorectal surgery, proctology, and pelvic floor diseases - a place where surgeons THRIVE.

Prof. Michel AdaminaLinkedIn Logo

Prof. Michel Adamina

Chief of Colorectal Surgery Kantonsspital Winterthur & Professor of Surgery, University of Basel, Switzerland

Dr. Georgios PerosLinkedIn Logo

Dr. Georgios Peros

Deputy Chief of Colorectal Surgery, Kantonsspital Winterthur, Switzerland, FEBS Coloproctology

Dr. Roel HompesLinkedIn Logo

Dr. Roel Hompes

M.D., Ph.D., FASCRS(hon) | gastrointestinal and oncologic surgeon, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Department of Surgery, Amsterdam

Dr. Antoine MeyerLinkedIn Logo

Dr. Antoine Meyer

MEC, MAS, Senior Consultant, Department of General Surgery, Fribourg Cantonal Hospital, Fribourg

Colorectal THRIVE - Sounding Board

The distinguished members of our Sounding Board oversaw the best and most comprehensive programme in colorectal surgery for you.

Prof. Patricia SyllaLinkedIn Logo

Prof. Patricia Sylla

Professor of Surgery, Chief of Coloretal Surgery, Mt. Sinai, New York City, President of SAGES (Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons)

Prof. Willem BemelmanLinkedIn Logo

Prof. Willem Bemelman

Professor of Colorectal and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Consultant colorectal surgeon IBD Milan, Ospedale San Raffaele, past president ESCP (European Society of Coloproctology)

Janindra WarusavitarneLinkedIn Logo

Janindra Warusavitarne

MD, PhD, Lead Consultant Colorectal Surgeon for IBD, St. Mark's Hospital, London, Education Chair ESCP (European Society of Coloproctology)

Prof. Des WinterLinkedIn Logo

Prof. Des Winter

Professor of Surgery, University College Dublin, Consultant St. Vincent's University Hospital, Editor-in-Chief BJS (British Journal of Surgery)

View over the old city Fribourg with a river

Discover Fribourg

Switzerland

When you attend Colorectal THRIVE, you will also get to experience Fribourg - one of Switzerland's oldest towns.

Fribourg is famous for its medieval architecture, numerous bridges, university and cheese fondues. Surrounded by crystal-clear lakes and steep mountains that attract sport enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, Fribourg is also easy to reach from the nearby airports of Zurich, Geneva, and Basel. 

Direct access to train connection from all major cities and airports to Fribourg.  

More information: Discover Fribourg and local transports (Fribourg city card).

Congress venue

The Colorectal THRIVE congress venue is located at the heart of Fribourg.

Excellent public transportation and individual parking at the congress site are available. We recommend public transportation to travel to the congress.

Access public transporation schedule here
=> Type  From: "your place of departure"   To:  "Forum Fribourg"

Forum Fribourg, Route du Lac 12, 1763 Granges-Paccot

Brand Logo Forum Fribourg
Outside view of the Forum Fribourg, a congress centre in Fribourg Switzerland
An image of the old town Fribourg

Hotels & accommodation

All participants are to book their accommodation of choice independently.

Until Sun 28.01.2024, the 2 Ibis hotels next to the congress venue offer a discount rate starting under CHF 100 when quoting "THRIVE" upon booking by mail.

Hotel Ibis can be booked at H5324-BO@accor.com
Hotel Ibis budget can be booked at H9925-FO@accor.com

Further hotels within 10km of the congress venue can be booked at:

Submit an abstract

We welcome original abstracts of previously unpublished works related to the field of colorectal and digestive diseases, including basic and translational research, medical education, leadership, and health resources utilization.

Full registration of the first author is mandatory for submission of an abstract with a limit of 2 contributions per first author and 500 words per contribution.
Submission deadline is Sunday March 24th, midnight CET.

Accepted abstracts will be displayed in the virtual exhibition from March to October 2024 and the best 3 contributions will be honored. No printing is foreseen for sustainability. Digital publication follows the Creative Commons open access guidelines (CC-BY 4.0).

Submit abstract
image of a womens hands, typing on a laptop. next to her is a stetoscope

Our sponsors

Thank you to everyone who makes it possible to execute Colorectal THRIVE 2024.

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

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