In this special International Women’s Day episode of Inside Surgery, host Dr Draga Mandi speaks with Ms Gita Lingam and Dr Georgia Kotoreni, surgeons who completed the women only, EAES Intuitive robotics discovery course at the Amsterdam Skills Centre.

Ms Lingam, a UK surgical trainee and research fellow in IBD and robotic surgery, and Dr Kotoreni, a general surgeon and PhD candidate in abdominal wall reconstruction in Greece, reflect on their experience in an all-women robotic training programme designed to build both technical expertise and professional community.

The conversation explores access to robotic training across different European healthcare systems, the challenges women face in gaining console time and certification, and the importance of mentorship, representation, and supportive learning environments. They discuss the value of high-fidelity simulation, tailored hands-on training, and the unique dynamic created when women surgeons train together.

Beyond the technical aspects, this episode examines belonging in surgery, the evolving landscape of robotic certification, and why dedicated spaces for women in surgical innovation remain essential. Released on International Women’s Day, the discussion highlights how community, visibility, and opportunity can shape the future of robotic surgery, and the next generation of women at the console.

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Would you like to become a part of the EAES family? Become a member via https://eaes.eu/become-a-member

In this episode of Inside Surgery, host Dr Alice Tsai speaks with Dr Youness Ahallal, urologist and robotic surgeon, internationally recognised for pioneering telesurgery and advancing robotic surgery across Africa.

Dr Ahallal shares the story behind the world’s longest-distance robotic cancer surgery, performed between Shanghai and Morocco, and explains the four months of preparation required to make transcontinental telesurgery safe and feasible. The conversation explores signal latency, fibre-optic networks, AI-assisted motion stabilisation, and the teamwork required on both ends of a complex radical prostatectomy.

Beyond the technical achievement, Dr Ahallal reflects on his journey from Morocco to the United States and France, and his decision to return home to establish the first robotic surgery programme in North Africa. He discusses how telesurgery can shorten the learning curve for surgeons, support mentorship across distances, and improve equitable access to high-quality surgical care.

This episode highlights innovation in practice, the future of global surgical collaboration, and how technology can bridge geographic gaps in modern surgery.

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Would you like to become a part of the EAES family? Become a member via https://eaes.eu/become-a-member

In this episode of Inside Surgery, host Dr. Draga Mandi speaks with Dr. Dragoș Eugen Georgescu, Romanian surgical oncologist, lecturer at Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and EAES Fellowship awardee.

Dr. Georgescu reflects on his EAES Fellowship at the National Cancer Institute in Vilnius, sharing how immersive exposure to high-volume minimally invasive oncology reshaped his surgical practice. The conversation explores the value of stepping outside one’s comfort zone, the role of mentorship and technical refinement, and how international fellowships foster long-term professional growth, collaboration, and adaptability in modern European surgery.

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Would you like to become a part of the EAES family? Become a member via https://eaes.eu/become-a-member

In this episode of Inside Surgery, host Dr. Draga Mandi speaks with Dr. Ludovica Baldari, a leading voice in fluorescence-guided surgery and the renowned “Baldari protocol.” Dr. Baldari discusses her journey with ICG, the crucial role of mentorship and sponsorship, and the importance of research and engineering collaboration. Together, they explore gender bias in surgical training, highlighting how instrument design often overlooks women’s ergonomics. She emphasizes the need for systemic change, representation, and collective European action to advance equity in surgery.

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Would you like to become a part of the EAES family? Become a member via https://eaes.eu/become-a-member

In this episode of Inside Surgery, Prof. Tan Arulampalam speaks with Dr. Marek Soltés and Prof. Georg Bischof about the UEMS Board Examination in Minimally Invasive Surgery. They explain the purpose, structure, and value of the exam as a Europe-wide benchmark for surgical excellence, combining logbook assessment, theoretical testing, and practical OSCE skills evaluation. The discussion highlights how the exam supports harmonisation of training across countries, validates surgical mastery beyond national certifications, and enhances professional credibility. With growing international recognition, the UEMS exam is presented as a key step for surgeons committed to quality, lifelong learning, and high standards of patient care.

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This podcast is sponsored by Richard Wolf System Green, the real-time ICG/NIR solution for enhanced vision and saver decision in surgery.

Would you like to become a part of the EAES family? Become a member via https://eaes.eu/become-a-member

In this episode of Inside Surgery, Prof. Tan Arulampalam hosts Portuguese surgeons Prof. Helder Ferreira and Prof. Jaime Vilaça to preview the upcoming EAES Symposium on Innovation in Surgery 2026. Held on 22 – 24 January 2026 in Porto, Portugal. They highlight the groundbreaking programme featuring AI-augmented surgical safety, telemonitoring with live demonstrations across Europe, and advances in robotic autonomy, flexible endoscopy, and medical device development. The guests also spotlight immersive hands-on courses in fluorescence-guided surgery, bariatrics, abdominal wall repair, and remote-access thyroidectomy. Set in the scenic Alfândega Congress Centre, the symposium aims to accelerate safe innovation, empower surgical teams, and position Porto as the epicentre of surgical technology this January.

The registration for the Symposium on Innovation is Surgery is now open: Register here: https://eaes.eu/symposium-on-innovation-in-surgery/

If you enjoy this episode, why not subscribe to Inside Surgery so you don't miss out on future episodes?

This podcast is sponsored by Richard Wolf System Green, the real-time ICG/NIR solution for enhanced vision and saver decision in surgery.

Would you like to become a part of the EAES family? Become a member via https://eaes.eu/become-a-member

In this episode of Inside Surgery, host Dr. Draga Mandi speaks with Dr.med Valerie Nottberg and Hans Schmidt, members of the winning team from this year’s EAES Research Sandpit. They share their motivations for applying, the collaborative team-building process, and the creation of their winning project REACT, a digital companion app designed to support patients before and after surgery. They discuss challenges such as time pressure, feasibility, and app-development costs, as well as the crucial role of their mentors. Their story highlights the Sandpit’s unique mix of innovation, teamwork, mentorship, and the confidence it builds in young surgical researchers.

The call for the EAES Research Sandpit 2026 is now open for all young EAES members. Apply before 11th January 2026: https://eaes.eu/research-sandpit/

If you enjoy this episode, why not subscribe to Inside Surgery so you don't miss out on future episodes?

This podcast is sponsored by Richard Wolf System Green, the real-time ICG/NIR solution for enhanced vision and saver decision in surgery.

Would you like to become a part of the EAES family? Become a member via https://eaes.eu/become-a-member

Host Dr. Bright Huo speaks with Dr. Eran Shlomovitz about his EAES-funded research using AI and computer vision to automate scoring for the FLS laparoscopic skills exam. They discuss how this work builds on the BEST Box simulator, the potential to remove proctoring barriers, and the impact of EAES and SAGES grants in enabling scalable, objective surgical training. Dr. Shlomovitz also shares advice for early-career researchers applying for grants and highlights the future directions of his minimally invasive surgery research.

The call for EAES Research Grants 2026 is open till 30 November 2025. Apply now!

If you enjoy this episode, why not subscribe to Inside Surgery so you don't miss out on future episodes?

This podcast is sponsored by Richard Wolf System Green, the real-time ICG/NIR solution for enhanced vision and saver decision in surgery.

Would you like to become a part of the EAES family? Become a member via https://eaes.eu/become-a-member