Pancreatic benign and neoplastic diseases are gaining more and more interests in the scientific community, due to their increasing incidence and high aggressiveness. Given the peculiarity of the pancreatic gland, an interdisciplinary management provided by a pool of specialists is mandatory. The classical academic curriculum does not include in-depth analysis of the pancreatic physiology and pathology, work-up of patients with pancreatic diseases, treatments and follow-up.
The Program seeks to comprehend the intricate relationships that underlie the management of pancreatic patients and aims to inspire future gastroenterologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, oncologists and other physicians for potential specialization in Pancreatology, with strong focus on critical analysis of scientific literature. The Program will also grant access to an extensive network of senior and junior doctors across Europe, and create opportunity for research and inter-active work in the field around pancreatic diseases. The network collaboration includes three European centers that have all a special focus on pancreatology and pancreatic surgery: the University of Siena (Italy), the Medical University of Vienna (Austria) and the University of Luebeck (Germany).
Virtual component:
Five meetings 4 hours each between January and February 2025 are planned. Virtual meetings will focus on a different predefined topic in Pancreatology, and host speakers are invited to give a lecture and interact with participants at the meeting. Live surgery in classic open and minimal invasive (laparoscopic and robotic-assisted) approaches of pancreatic resections will be shared and commented.
Virtual meeting 1: Anatomy and Physiology of the pancreas, acute and chronic pancreatitis. Radiological, endoscopic and surgical approaches. Clinical cases and Videos.
Virtual meeting 2: Surgical techniques, with live surgery interaction. pNETs: The radiologist. Cytologist. Concepts of Translational Research
Virtual meeting 3: Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas 1
Virtual meeting 4: Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas 2 – focus on IPMN. Surgery vs. FU. Live context
Virtual meeting 5: PDAC and hereditary pancreatic cancer
One week in presence, in Siena from February 23nd to 27th 2026.
All activities will be attended by a group of 30 international students from the three European Universities that are partners of the project:
Contact persons:
Marta Sandini, MD
Unit of General Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences
University of Siena, Siena, Italy
Ulla Klaiber, MD, M.Sc.
Department of General Surgery
Division of Visceral Surgery
Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Kim C. Honselmann
Department of Surgery
University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany