IFSO 2019 in Madrid – Michael Talbot Talks

Each year the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) hold an event attended by surgeons, multidisciplinary support staff, researchers, physicians and other healthcare professionals. The main goal of IFSO is the optimisation of the treatment of severely obese patients bringing together surgeons and allied health professionals. IFSO is committed to the creation of a global system for accreditation of bariatric centres and individual surgeons.

IFSO’s main activity is the organization of the yearly World Congress, which provides a forum to exchange knowledge on surgical treatment of severely obese patients, to present new techniques, research and concepts, and to meet the experts in the field. This year the 24th IFSO World Congress was held in Madrid from the 3rd – 7th of September. Our very own A/Prof Michael Talbot spoke this year at the event. 

A/Prof Talbot’s Talks

Dr Talbot’s first talk was at the IFSO Academic Surgery course where he talked about the use and misuse of statistics in medical publications. His other talk was a lunchtime talk where he spoke about the various serious complications that can happen as a result of bariatric surgery. The most concerning complications of bariatric surgery are sleeve leaks and bad heartburn (reflux). During his talk, Dr Talbot explained the reasons for leaks and reflux, whilst discussing low-risk ways of getting people better and out of the hospital. 

Reasons for Reflux

Often a reason for reflux following bariatric surgery is a hiatus hernia, although sometimes a stricture or stenosis in the stomach. The majority of patients suffering from bad reflux can be managed without major surgery. 

Leaks

Leaks are typically related to where an abscess is and whether the rest of the stomach is damaged or not. Again the majority of leaks can be managed without surgery. 

Finding out more

If you are interested in learning more about the IFSO’s event this year or in previous years then you can visit their website for more information.