Immediately preceding the ESSO 2008 Congress, ESSO organised in joint co-operation with the European School of Oncology an advanced course on rectal cancer under the chairmanship of Professor Theo Wiggers (University Medical Center Groningen, NL). 40 young surgeons were selected to participate. A multidisciplinary and interactive approach was implemented throughout the course, which combined plenary lectures, workshops and case presentations by the participants. In the frame of “ESSO Online Learning” all plenary lectures were recorded. The present page gives you the opportunity to listen and view speakers’presentations as if you were among the participants.

Factors influencing decision making

• Genetics influencing decision making, N. Hoogerbrugge, University Medical Center St Radboud, Department of Human Genetics, Nijmegen, NL
• Estimating frailty in the surgical patient, B. van Leeuwen, UMCG-University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Surgical Oncology, NL
• Quality of imaging, R. Beets-Tan, Radiology University Hospital Maastricht, Gastrointestinal and Oncological Radiologist Department, NL
• Value of a multidisciplinary team, A. Bembenek, Charite Berlin, Department of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, DE

The algorithm of the treatment of a patient with locally advanced rectal cancer, Theo Wiggers, UMCG- University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Surgical Oncology, NL

Is less possible?

• Indications for TEM, P.G. Doornebosch, LUMC-Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Surgical Oncology, Leiden, NL
• Laparoscopic rectal resection, M.C. Posner, University of Chicago, Section of General Surgery, Chicago, US
• Partial mesorectal excision, H. Becker, Georg-August University, Department of General Surgery, Göttingen, DE

Factors influencing suture dehiscence, L. Pahlman, University Hospital Uppsala, Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Surgery, SE

The ESSO Education & Training Committee wish to thank the course teachers for accepting the capturing of their presentation for the online webcast as well as the students in the workshop for their enthusiasm and active participation.