DILEMMAS & DEBATES IN
COLORECTAL SURGERY
Dear Colleagues,
If you missed the 12th Dilemmas & Debates in Colorectal Surgery Conference (DDCRS) last year — here’s your chance to make it right. 🎉
We are delighted to announce that the 13th DDCRS Conference will be held on 8–9 January 2026 at Bush House, King’s College London (WC2R 2LS). This year’s meeting, held in collaboration with King's College London and endorsed by the International Society of University Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ISUCRS) promises to be impactful.
🌟 Conference Theme:
This year’s conference theme,
Diverticular Disease: Rethinking an Old Foe
promises to be forward-thinking, and globally inclusive, highlighting groundbreaking advancements in colorectal surgery through expert-led workshops, interactive debates, and dynamic case discussions.
The meeting will showcase transformative advancements in colorectal surgery, with a special focus on:
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🤖 Robotic surgery – immersive pre-meeting workshops led by world experts
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📚 Diverticular disease revisited – rethinking an age-old challenge through a modern lens
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🔥 Dynamic debates & lectures – thought-provoking discussions that challenge convention
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🧠 High-level faculty – a global line-up of innovators and decision-makers in the field
Programme Highlights:
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Thursday, 8 January – Full Day Robotic Colorectal Surgery Workshops using the Medtronic Hugo platform will be held at the Medtronic Hugo Lab, 232 City Road, EC1V 2QY. This ½ day course (either morning or afternoon) is designed to give you hands-on experience in a dry lab where you will be taught the key elements of robotic-assisted surgery. The programme is suitable for Specialty Training (ST 4 and above) & Consultants.
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Friday, 9 January – Focus on diverticular disease and its management, highlighting the latest evidence and innovative approaches to this complex area of practice
Beyond the lecture hall, delegates will enjoy the chance to network with colleagues and leaders from across the globe, while experiencing all that London has to offer. From its rich cultural landmarks to the vibrancy of the West End, this meeting provides a unique blend of education, collaboration, and unforgettable experiences in one of the world’s greatest cities.
🔔 Early Bird Registration Now Open
Early bird registration is now open until 7th December 2025, offering a perfect opportunity to secure your place at a reduced rate.
We very much look forward to welcoming you to London in January for what promises to be an exceptional gathering of ideas, innovation, and surgical excellence.
Yours sincerely
Mr Joseph W Nunoo-Mensah, Professor Narimantas E. Samalavicius, Mr Pasquale Giordano, Mr Piero Nastro
13th DDCRS Co-Programme Directors
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THURSDAY, 8 JANUARY 2026
Full Day Robotic Colorectal Surgery Workshops using the Medtronic Hugo platform
will be held at the Medtronic Hugo Lab, 232 City Road, EC1V 2QY.
FRIDAY 9TH JANUARY 2026
DIVERTICULAR DISEASE: RETHINKING AN OLD FOE
An Interdisciplinary Conference on the Modern Management of Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
Bush House,
King’s College London
30 Aldwych,
London, UK
WC2B 4BG
08:00 – 08:25 Registration & Coffee (Lecture Theatre 1)
08:25 - 08:30 Welcome : Joseph W Nunoo-Mensah & Narimantas E. Samalavicius
08:30 – 09:50 | Session 1: Rethinking the Basics
Moderators: David Zimmerman, Tilburg, The Netherlands & Dimitrios Pissas, York, UK
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Diverticulosis vs Diverticulitis: Modern Definitions and Misconceptions. - Pasquale Giordano, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
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Natural History: Risk Factors for Complicated Disease. - Jasneet Bhullar, Michigan State University/CHM, Michigan, USA
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Segmental Colitis Associated with Diverticulosis (SCAD)& Post-Inflammatory Visceral Hypersensitivity: When It’s Not Classic Diverticulitis. - Savvas Papagrigoriadis, IASO General Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Microbiome and Genetics Risk Profiling: New Insights into Pathogenesis, Disease Course or Recurrence. - James Kinross, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Discussion
09:50 – 11:10 | Session 2: Medical and Minimally Invasive Strategies
Moderators: Narimantas E. Samalavicius, Vilnius, Lithuania & James Kinross, London, UK
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Antibiotics for Uncomplicated Diverticulitis: Still Indicated or Outdated? - Michael Machesney, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
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Percutaneous Drainage vs. Early Surgery: When to Intervene and When to Wait. - Pamela Buchwald, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
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Diverticular Haemorrhage Across the Disease Journey: Risk Stratification and When to Coil, Clip or Operate - Johannes Schultz, Oslo, Norway
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Outpatient Management Pathways: Who Can Safely Avoid Admission? - Dale Vimalachandran, Countess of Chester NHS Trust, Chester, UK
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Discussion
11:10 – 11:40 | Coffee Break & Visit Sponsors Booths (Level 8 South Side)
11:40 – 13:15 | Session 3: Surgical Approaches and Controversies
Moderators: Dale Vimalachandran, Chester, UK & Savvas Papagrigoriadis, Athens, Greece
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Laparoscopic Lavage for Perforated Diverticulitis: Completely Debunked or Ready for Redemption? - David Zimmerman, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands
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Technique Debate: Sigmoidectomy With vs Without Primary Anastomosis - What’s the Real Risk in the acute and elective setting? - Andreas M Kaiser, City of Hope National Medical Center (NCI-CCC), Duarte, CA, USA
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Robotic vs Laparoscopic Sigmoid Resection: Is There Real Value Beyond the Console? - Katie Adams, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Transvaginal and Natural-Orifice Approaches: The Forgotten Frontier? - Joaquim Costa Piera, Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal
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Enhanced Recovery and Same-Day Elective Sigmoidectomy for Diverticular disease: Feasible or Foolhardy? - Michael Powar, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
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Discussion
13:15 – 13:20 | Platinum Sponsor Talk
13:20 – 14:50 | Lunch Break & Visit Sponsors Booths (Level 8 South Side)
14:50 – 16:25 | Session 4: Diagnostics and Decision-Making
Moderators: Pasquale Giordano, London, UK & Pamela Buchwald, Malmö, Sweden
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Hinchey Classification is Dead: Is There a Better Way? - Andreas M Kaiser, City of Hope National Medical Center (NCI-CCC), Duarte, CA, USA
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When Is It Cancer? Radiological Red Flags and Diagnostic Pitfalls - Tina Mistry, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Biomarkers Meet Imaging - CRP, Calprotectin, and the Scan: Can We Integrate It All? - Lillias H. Maguire, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Deep Learning Algorithm & Radiomics: Can AI Read CT scans Better Than We or is my radiologist still the best? - Sarah Hickman, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
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The COSMID Effect: Should One Episode of Diverticulitis Be Enough to Offer Surgery? - Gordon Buchanan, The Lister Hospital, London, UK
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Discussion
16:25 – 16:35 | Short Break (Lecture Theatre 1)
16:35 – 17:55 | Session 5: Complex and Recurrent Disease
Moderators: Richard Cohen, Cleveland Clinic London, UK & Johannes Schultz, Oslo, Norway
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Colovesical and Colvaginal Fistulae: Diagnosis, Timing and Surgical Approach - Chet Bhan, University College Hospital London, London, UK
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Recurrent Diverticulitis After Surgery: What Went Wrong - Anatomy, Technique, or Biology? - Jamie Murphy, Cleveland Clinic London, London, UK
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Strictures and Obstruction: Stent, Stoma, or Surgery? - Philip Bearn, Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals, Chertsey, UK
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Next-Gen Sigmoid Resection: Can We Do It Faster, Safer and Scarless? - Jim Khan, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Portsmouth, UK
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Discussion
17:55 – 18:25 | Case discussion
Moderators: Gordon Buchanan, London, UK & Jasneet Bhullar, Michigan, USA
Presenters: Christo Lapa, King's College Hospital, London, UK & Khalid Hureibi, Kettering, UK
18:25 – 18:30 | Closing remarks
CME/CPD ACCREDITATION WILL BE APPLIED FOR THROUGH
THE ASSOCIATION OF SURGEONS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND (ASGBI)
