Dear member, Dear future member, Dear colleague interested in MIGS, Dear Sympathizer!

2020 has been a very difficult year for all of us at ISGE on the personal level and on the level of the society. However, lots of innovations did take place and these did intensify the interaction within the society.

Our Honorary Secretary, Viju Thomas, did come up with a completely new concept of congress as ISGE had to postpone our annual congress in Split until June 5-8/2021. He did launch VirtualEndo24 the Global View. A 24-hour virtual congress on endometriosis in three time zones Starting in Africa-Europe, followed by the Americas to end in Asia Oceania. The congress is backed by all the important Societies on Gynecologic Endoscopy and Endometriosis. This, his idea, is a World First. We look forward to this bring this on March 20-21/2021.

Our president-elect, Günter Noé, together with the original editor of TheTrocar, came with the idea to create a real Open Access, Online Journal under the name TheTrocar. We were able to realize this endeavor in December 2021 with nine articles in the first issue. Günter did get DOI referencing for the articles and we are applying for ISSN number in 2021. Check the contents on https://www.isge.org/thetrocar/open-access-journal-editions/ and you can download the PDF with all articles.

ISGE did start with two webinars on a monthly basis. These webinars do cover all aspects of MIGS and have been attended by over one thousand participants – counting only the ones receiving a certificate because they were resent during more than half of the duration. Africa did account for 37,8 %, Asia 27,2%, Americas 21,2%, Europe 13,3% and Oceania 0,9%. Women colleagues did take care of 35 % and males 64% seems like one % has to be transgender. India taking the lead in the country hit parade.

ISGE did also start with live surgery streaming by our Board member Ameneh Haghgoo and Günter Noé. In toto 39 times on Instagram isge_members channel and lately on a professional platform. Viju Thomas will try and get these live streaming on a professional level in the years to come.

For the New Year 2021 we project a Hybrid Annual Congress in Split – same location – from June fifth through eight! Here we will have also the hybrid Annual General Assemble meeting and ISGE will propose to the General Assemble a new set of Bylaws with the intention to involve more and motivated members in the running of the society. This new bylaw will be sent to our members two months before the venue to get your comments.
ISGE will continue and professionalize its other projects as to remain a top worldwide endoscopic society.

As Medical Director I would like to ask each and every one of you to join ISGE in these projects, to send in articles, to organize webinars or at least send in the topics you would like to be addressed.

Long live our ISGE with your help and contributions to its scientific content!

I do wish you a very Prosperous, Healthy and above all Different 2021 for you and your loved ones.

Bruno van Herendael
Medical Director ISGE