Dr. José Manuel Ramia, Head of the General Surgery Department at Dr. Balmis Hospital in Alicante, is the leading force behind the European Society of Surgery Congress, which will take place in Alicante in 2027, making the city the third in Spain to host this prestigious event.
As one of only 14 surgeons in Spain who are members of the European Association of Surgery, Dr. Ramia is part of an elite group in the field.
The Congress, limited to a select number of members, gathers the best surgeons across Europe, most of whom are university professors or department heads at major hospitals.
With around 100 presentations at the event, 40 of which are selected as the top papers, this congress sets the trends in surgery for the coming years, influencing both scientific and economic developments.
Dr. Ramia discusses the emerging trends in surgery, including the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics.
While AI’s impact is expected to be profound, especially in fields like radiology, it is still in its early stages in surgery. Robotics, however, is already well-established, though it requires significant investment and training.
In the next 10 to 15 years, robots are expected to handle nearly all surgeries, a transformation akin to the introduction of laparoscopy, which revolutionized minimally invasive surgery.
Currently, Dr. Ramia’s hospital has one surgical robot, which is used only when it provides a clear benefit to the patient. For example, robotic surgery is particularly advantageous in procedures like head-of-pancreas surgery, where precision and minimal scarring are crucial. However, the hospital is limited by the availability of this single robot.
Waiting lists remain a major issue in public health, and surgery is no exception. Dr. Ramia points out that Alicante General Hospital, serving nearly two million people, faces immense pressure due to the influx of patients. Although this strains resources, it also leads to improved outcomes by focusing on specific pathologies.
Dr. Ramia stresses the importance of developing a long-term, structured healthcare plan. While increased immediate investment may help, it is not a catch-all solution.
A 20-year plan that considers patient needs and healthcare usage is necessary to address the challenges posed by rising demand, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, Dr. Ramia highlights the need for personalized medicine, particularly in oncology, where decisions about surgery must be made alongside other treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy.
The future of cancer surgery depends on a multidisciplinary approach, where surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and other healthcare professionals collaborate to ensure the best outcomes for patients.
Dr. Ramia’s expertise is also reflected in his membership in the European Society of Surgery, where he stands as one of only two Valencian doctors to hold such a distinction.
