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On behalf of General Surgeons Australia and the Organising Committee, it is with great pleasure that we invite you to join us in Tropical North Queensland for the 6th Annual Scientific Meeting – Complex General Surgery.

This year will see a first for the ASM, with Day 1 of the program being a combined day with the Australian and New Zealand Hepatic, Pancreatic and Biliary Association (ANZHPBA) Annual Scientific Meeting. The program, which includes the addition of co-convenor Mr Nicholas O’Rourke FRACS, will cover updates in the contemporary management of complex emergency HPB disorders commonly seen by the General Surgeon, followed by an afternoon of case presentations demonstrating helpful techniques in HPB/General Surgery.

Day 2 and 3 will see the continuation of the ASM’s primary focus - Complex General Surgery - across all sub-specialties. The ASM will be our platform to bring key issues and complexities of General Surgery to the forefront. These are issues that all Specialist General Surgeons face, no matter which sub-speciality they have chosen. Complexities of gallbladder surgery, the hostile abdomen, bile duct injury, laparoscopic versus open for unilateral hernia, early re-operative abdominal surgery, and principles of re-operation are just some of the areas to be investigated, and options to ‘get out of trouble’ will be considered.

These complex and difficult facets of General Surgery will resonate with anyone working in the field of General Surgery.

The program will have wide appeal, aided by the very best national and international speakers who will present to you a thought-provoking and evocative program that will resonate with all General Surgical Consultants, Trainees and associated medical personnel. International Guest speakers include Dr Sivasuriya Sivaganesh from Colombo, Mr John Moorehead from Belfast, President - Association of Surgeons of Great Britain & Ireland, and Prof Kemal Deen from Colombo, President Elect - The College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka. Additionally, Vascular Surgeon Dr John Swinnen from Sydney will speak of his first-hand overseas experiences with Médecins Sans Frontières - Doctors Without Borders. This will be a must-see session!

Colourful and vibrant Cairns will provide the perfect base for the meeting. The Pullman Cairns International provides world class facilities within a luxury hotel, and the City itself has an eclectic mix of city culture and stunning nature. The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef offers you everything you’ll need for your meeting stay, then continue the experience by exploring the surrounding areas including the amazing beaches of Palm Cove and tropical rainforests of Port Douglas.

This year’s official events include the Welcome Reception - Tacos & Tequila at the Pooldeck, and the Social Spectacular at Tanks Arts Centre in the tropical Cairns Botanical Gardens. The Welcome Reception (free for delegates) will be a fun few hours of Mexican Fiesta down by the beautiful Pullman Cairns International Pooldeck. The Social Spectacular will include a dazzling evening of decadent food and wine, great company, and sensational entertainment - all the while experiencing the World War II history of Cairns - The Tanks Arts Centre.

We would like to acknowledge and express our thanks to the support shown from our industry partners, in particular Cook Medical and Applied Medical; this meeting would not be as comprehensive without their continued support. 

We look forward to welcoming you to Tropical North Queensland this September.

AUD

Group registrations not allowed

Accompanying persons not allowed

We don’t accept Online Abstracts

Pullman Cairns International

The Iconic Pullman Cairns International is located in the heart of Cairns, opposite the Casino and only a minute’s walk from the Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal. 

Guest rooms are a minimum of 40 square meters, all with private balconies and marble bathrooms. The stunning, “Colonial Style” lobby and bar is the perfect location to entertain friends, clients, or work colleagues. The hotel’s private pool deck is the largest in Cairns with two swimming pools, heated Jacuzzi and lush tropical landscaped gardens. Coco's Restaurant - considered Cairns best Seafood buffet - is available Thursday to Sunday, alternately try the a-la-carte menu for lunch and dinner seven days a week. During the day why not spoil yourself with a decadent high tea - delights from the hotels own pastry chef are available in the lobby bar from 10:00am daily. 

Submission Info

Abstracts will be accepted at the time of the submission process opening, from the following:

General Surgical Trainees

General Surgical Younger Fellows

General Surgical International Medical Graduates

Non-accredited Registrars

Medical Students

Interns/PGY2

Successful applicants will be eligible for research awards and prizes. Click here to find out more.

Please note the following prior to submitting your abstract:

The title should be brief and explicit

Research papers should follow the format of: Purpose, Methodology, Results, and Conclusion

Excluding title, authors (full given name plus family name) and institution, your abstract must not exceed 1,750 characters and spaces (approx. 250 words). References must be included in this allowance

If an abstract is selected for a poster presentation, your poster must be A0 1189mm H x 841mm W (portrait orientation only. Posters submitted in landscape orientation will not be accepted)

Please note the following should your abstract be selected:

Verbal Presentation:

Successful applicants for verbal presentations will be allocated a total of five minutes presentation time consisting of four (4) minutes presentation time plus one (1) minute for audience questions and answers. Please note that this time allowance will be strictly enforced, and is not open to discussion or changes

There will be free-paper sessions allocated within the three-day program - Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday. Successful applicants will be randomly allocated to a date and time. Once this occurs, no changes can or will be made.

All accepted abstracts for verbal presentation will be printed in the official Final Program.

Poster Presentation:

All successful applicants for poster presentation will be required to supply a poster for display in a location deemed suitable by the Event Organiser, for the duration of the ASM - 26-28 September 2014.

Submitted posters must be A0 1189mm H x 841mm W. Portrait orientation will only be accepted. Posters submitted in landscape orientation will not be accepted.

A selection of applicants (limited to five (5)) must present a two-minute presentation of their work, standing alongside their poster, to the judging panel, on a designated day at a designated time, during the ASM Program. If the poster is not on display, or the applicant does not arrive at the designated presentation time, they will be automatically ineligible for the applicable award. Presentation date and time will not be negotiable.

It is the responsibility of the successful applicant to deliver the poster, either in person or by mail, to the ASM venue, in time for display. Posters missing on route will not be the responsibility of the Event Organiser.

It is the responsibility of the successful applicant to collect their poster at the conclusion of the ASM. Posters left on display following the closure of the ASM will be destroyed.

Successful applicants will have the abstract title and submission author printed in the official Final Program.

We have very limited opportunities remaining for you to participate as a sponsor and/or exhibitor for the 2015 GSA ASM - Complex General Surgery

The ASM is a key event in the General Surgical calendar, continually attracting 300+ delegates and growing each year. Company support as a sponsor and/or an exhibitor is pivotal to the success of the ASM and we encourage you to consider this important educational activity.

Sally Erickson 

Events Manager & Communications Officer

General Surgeons Australia

250-290 Spring Street

EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002

P +61 3 9249 1142

F +61 3 9249 1257

E gsa.asm@surgeons.org