The European School of Coloproctology (ESC) of ESCP continues to offer year-round education and training in Coloproctology for colorectal surgeons and trainees at different stages of their professional careers and promotes current knowledge and practice. The ESC aims to provide various educational opportunities, a variety of education and training formats including hands-on experiences. ESC membership is based on involvement and contribution to ESC activities. Members are encouraged to develop innovative ideas in surgical education. ESC/ESCP course directors and faculties are responsible for designing the objectives and educational contents of these events and their execution. Support comes from education grants by various partners, including industries.
IPAA and continent ileostomy workshop
Lead: Gabriela Möslein
The 2018 installed stand-alone workshop on pouch surgery, IPAA, and continent ileostomy (Kock pouch and modifications) took place on 29-30 May in Amsterdam University Medical Centre and the Amsterdam Skills Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Information about the Kock pouch workshop is here >
Minimal invasive CME programme
Lead: Anders Bertelsen
The Minimal invasive CME programme has been paused. The next event is planned for Q2/2026. Details will be announced in due course.
Information about the Minimal invasive CME programme is here >
Web-based eLearning: Sacral neuromodulation
Leads: Kim Gorissen, Klaus Matzel
An interactive e-learning module ‘Sacral neuromodulation’ placed on a web-based learning management platform aims to provide in depth knowledge of the application and execution of sacral neuromodulation. Expected launch Q4/2025.
Colorectal robotic surgery programme
Leads: Marcos Gomez Ruiz, Klaus Matzel, Samson Tou
The activities of the ESC Colorectal Robotic Working Group (CRS WG) was ongoing. Their activities included:
Recruiting of trainees for the now second round of the training programme continued. The number of applicants and trainees is continuously rising.
Information about the robotic surgery programme is here >
CRS novice workshop
Lead: Carmen Cagigas
This dedicated workshop for residents/fellows and junior consultants who have access to a robotic platform and are early in their robotic colorectal surgery experience for the second time took place 29-30 October 2024 at IRCAD, Strasbourg, France.
Information about the CRS novice workshop is here >
Robotic surgery webinars
Leads: Marcos Gomez Ruiz, Klaus Matzel, Samson Tou
The Webinar series “From basic skills to fine art” started in November 2020. The faculty is international, the interest is high and the outreach global. Since the last annual meeting in September 2024 the ESC continued with its final webinar on robotic colorectal surgery: ‘Challenging Low Anterior Resection’, 28 November 2024, Ester Consten, Ebbe Billman Thorgersen, Gabrielle van Ramshorst, Subash Vasudevan, Nuha Yassin.
All webinar recordings can be watched on demand in the public area of the ESCP website for some months after the event, after that in the ESCP members' Resource Library.
Publication
International expert consensus on a structured approach to robotic multiport right hemicolectomy with complete mesocolic excision and intracorporeal anastomosis
Gomez Ruiz M, Bianchi PP, Croner R, Tou S, Matzel K, Gallagher AG; RORIHEM Study Collaborative.
Colorectal Dis. 2024; 26:776-801. doi: 10.1111/codi.16904.
Looking forward
ESCP aims to further deliver a broad spectrum of educational content, virtual and non-virtual educational experiences like face-to-face meetings and hands-on workshops. Efforts are on their way to develop virtual and hybrid interactive formats of teaching events.
Thank you to all the supporting and contributing friends and colleagues!
Klaus E. Matzel
European School of Coloproctology Chair
September 2025