The First International Congress of the World Society for Cardiothoracic Trauma: Lessons learned
Moheb A Rashid
Editor in Chief, The Journal of Cardiothoracic Trauma, Gothenburg, Sweden
Date of Web Publication
20-Dec-2018
Correspondence Address: Moheb A Rashid Editor in Chief, The Journal of Cardiothoracic Trauma, Gothenburg Sweden
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
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DOI: 10.4103/jctt.jctt_9_18
How to cite this article: Rashid MA. The First International Congress of the World Society for Cardiothoracic Trauma: Lessons learned. J Cardiothorac Trauma 2018;3:1-2
How to cite this URL: Rashid MA. The First International Congress of the World Society for Cardiothoracic Trauma: Lessons learned. J Cardiothorac Trauma [serial online] 2018 [cited 2023 Jun 1];3:1-2. Available from: https://www.jctt.org/text.asp?2018/3/1/1/248107
The First International Congress of the World Society for Cardiothoracic Trauma [Figure 1] has recently been held in Cairo, and Sunrise Marina, Red Sea Resort, Port Ghalib, Egypt, for the first time ever as a double venue meeting without repetition of any lecture. This is the world largest congress gathering cardiothoracic surgeons on such a highly subspecialized surgery. The great success of such a meeting was a sign of its necessity at a time where trauma to the most vital organs in the chest such as heart, aorta, and lungs plays a crucial role. All organs of the chest were presented by speakers came from different parts of the world. We are pleased by hosting speakers from almost all continents of the World. The numbers of attendees were more than doubled. The congress was opened by an official ceremony with some talks of Egyptian Minister of Health, President of the Egyptian Military Medical Academy, and President of the Egyptian Society of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
Figure 1: A flyer on the First International Congress of the World Society for Cardiothoracic Trauma, 2018, Egypt
The President of the Congress Dr. Moheb A. Rashid gave his presidential address on the history of cardiothoracic trauma, where it began first in Egypt for over 4000 years ago with Imhotep – first doctor in human history and a trauma surgeon. This was followed by the legendary surgeon Dr. Kenneth L. Mattox who is a living part of this history where he is a continuation of his successor Dr. Michael E. DeBakey of Houston, Texas, and gave the Michael DeBakey Lecture on the management style of Dr. DeBakey. After some interesting lectures came another renowned surgeon Dr. James V. O'Connor from the well-known R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore and gave an outstanding lecture on the evolution in the management of traumatic aortic rupture. Here are their comments on the Congress after the first session in the Egyptian Military Medical Academy [Video 1]. Dr. Mattox, Dr. Rashid, and Dr. O'Connor raised their index fingers for the FIRST congress ever held on the subject [Figure 2]. The congress took 2 days in Cairo and then continued for further 2 days in Sunrise Marina, Red Sea Resort, Port Ghalib, Egypt, where many excellent lectures were given. A spectacular talk was given by Dr. Kenneth L. Mattox entitled the final hours and death of Princess Diana (why did she die?) in the most professional and ethical manner. Management of gunshot wounds, shrapnels, and war explosives in conflict regions including Gaza Strip, Palestine was presented, where significant numbers of children were severely injured. Excellent talks from Brazil and Mexico where civilian trauma and violence are significantly high.
Figure 2: From left to right, Dr. Kenneth L. Mattox, Dr. Moheb A. Rashid, and Dr. James O'Connor referring to the first time ever such a congress has been held in the world
The birthday of this Congress was concurred with the 80th birthday of Dr. Kenneth L. Mattox, Councilor of the Society, and Associate Editor of this journal. We celebrated Dr. Mattox's birthday in Cairo together with his family.
Finally, Dr. Mattox gave his final closure at the end of the congress [Video 2].
Lessons learned from this successful and unique congress are:
The most common cause of death of children and young adults is trauma, particularly cardiothoracic injuries, where most of the vital organs are located and exposed to injury.
Cardiothoracic trauma is still not well taught if taught at all.
Many life-saving procedures in cardiothoracic trauma patients still not optimally performed and need to be learned and updated.
Exchange of knowledge and experiences among nation borders were achieved.
I hope to see more colleagues and coworkers from all over the world to share us their experiences and knowledge in the next congress of the society 2020. We will let you know in time. Welcome with all your comments and constructive criticisms to make it better for our patients and to save more lives.
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