Spain
On behalf of the Spanish members of the ESCP I extend a welcome to this page containing web links to our National Association of Colproctology - Asociacion Española de Coloproctología - as well as to other related Spanish professional organizations. Such webs provide details about Colorectal practice and research in Spain along with information about meetings, courses, fellowships, scholarships, prizes and so on. I hope you will find this useful and informative.In Spain Colorectal Surgery or Coloproctology is a surgical subspecialty without formal or official recognition, however around 280 Surgeons, both trainees and fully trained, are affiliated to the Asociacion Española de Coloproctologia. Although not universally accepted many colorectal surgeons work in independent units or firms, however they remain integrated in General and Digestive Departments, sharing with other surgeons the out of hours on call duties.
So you need to be a fully trained general and digestive surgeon to become a coloproctologist. In Spain after medical graduation there is a national competitive examination (the “popular” MIR examination) to select both an approved medical specialty and an official recognized residence training program. General and Digestive Surgery typically entails 5y of duration, however paradoxically at the end of the residence program there is any final examination as all the control is set at the entrance.
If any member of the ESCP wishes or requires further assistance on any matter please do not hesitate to let me know via e-mail at josemaria.enriqueznavascues@osakidetza.net
I look forward to receiving your comments.
Population: 47,700.000 (2010)
ESCP Members: 30
Society: La Asociación Española de Coloproctologia (AECP)
ESCP Representative Name: Jose M Enríquez-Navascués
National Examination: In frame of residency surgical training program
Journal(s): Colorectal Disease (journal of Spanish Assoc of Coloproctology), Cirugía Española (journal of Spanish Assoc of Surgeons)
Achievements:
- The “Proyecto Vikingo” (proyectovikingo@aecirujanos.es) This is a teaching and audited process, across the country for the formation and training of multidisciplinary teams and the implementation of the TME in rectal cancer. 41 Hospitals enrolled by November 2010. Ongoing.- The Spanish working group in fast-track surgery was launched in 2008 to expand the use of the enhance recovery program across the country http://www.ftsurgery.com/
- Under the auspice of the AECP a on-line Master in Coloproctology (400 hours) led by the Universidad de Zaragoza with a mainly practical content has been developed http://www.mastercoloproctologia.com/
Current Research:
- A phase III multicenter, single blind, randomized, comparative and add-on clinical trial, in three parallel groups, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new therapy with adipose-derived autologous stem cells for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas in patients without inflammatory bowel disease. Closed and analyzed, final results to be published promptly.- Same research but restricted to patients with perforative Crohn's disease is active and recruiting patients.
- A national, albeit voluntary, register on "Colonic Anastomosis Dehiscence" has been launched past september/2011, promoted by the Sección de Coloproctologia de la Asosciación Españopla de Cirujanos.
Future Plans:
A multicentric preospective and randomized trial to evaluate the the impact of resection vs non-resection of the primary tumors in patients with non-resectable metastasis of colorectal cancer will begin to recruit patients launched in july 2012, promoted by Dr Biondo on behalf the Asociación Española de Coloproctología;
Other links: Spanish Association of Surgeons (http://www.aecirujanos.es/)
Spanish Study Group of Pelvic Floor Diseases (http://www.gsuelopelvico.com/)
For events, meetings, courses, etc. supported by the AECP see: link
