Science

Dr. Frederik Berrevoet

Frederik.Berrevoet@UGent.be

1. What made you choose abdominal wall surgery?

As a young fellow and later consultant, hernia surgery was the first area I was exposed to as an independent surgeon, and it immediately got my interest. The ongoing evolution of techniques, materials and challenges excited me, pushed me to do research and brought me my PhD. This interest never faded ever since.

2. What are your ambitions and goals to serve the EHS Board?

The last decade the EHS grew immensely due to the hard work of many previous and current board members and it’s just a great honor to also serve that purpose. I think the scientific guidance of the EHS towards its surgeons should further expand with new and updated guidelines, the design of multicenter studies and effective collaboration between both centers and registries, and increased patient involvement, as that is and should be one of the main goals of our society.

3. Where do you get your motivation and inspiration in life?

Surgery, abdominal wall repair and pancreatic surgery, still needs no motivation for me, I love it. But of course, there is more in life than work, so my family is my most important inspiration and I’m very thankful they give me all the freedom to follow my scientific dreams!

4. What are the biggest challenges in the abdominal wall surgery right now?

In 2027 we will organize the EHS congress in Antwerp with the theme “Facing Facts: Innovation versus Reality”. For me, this is the main challenge in the coming years, as many innovative ideas have been introduced over the last years, including robotics, mesh prevention and others, but costs are further increasing, and implementation is often low, lacking solid evidence. As the new secretary of Science I hope to contribute to this evidence gap together with my wing.

5. What is your hidden talent?

Even in the face of adversity, I try to remain steadfast, refusing to yield to challenges. That way I try to fuel both my team and myself.

Science

Dr. Frederik Berrevoet

Frederik.Berrevoet@UGent.be

1. What made you choose abdominal wall surgery?

As a young fellow and later consultant, hernia surgery was the first area I was exposed to as an independent surgeon, and it immediately got my interest. The ongoing evolution of techniques, materials and challenges excited me, pushed me to do research and brought me my PhD. This interest never faded ever since.

2. What are your ambitions and goals to serve the EHS Board?

The last decade the EHS grew immensely due to the hard work of many previous and current board members and it’s just a great honor to also serve that purpose. I think the scientific guidance of the EHS towards its surgeons should further expand with new and updated guidelines, the design of multicenter studies and effective collaboration between both centers and registries, and increased patient involvement, as that is and should be one of the main goals of our society.

3. Where do you get your motivation and inspiration in life?

Surgery, abdominal wall repair and pancreatic surgery, still needs no motivation for me, I love it. But of course, there is more in life than work, so my family is my most important inspiration and I’m very thankful they give me all the freedom to follow my scientific dreams!

4. What are the biggest challenges in the abdominal wall surgery right now?

In 2027 we will organize the EHS congress in Antwerp with the theme “Facing Facts: Innovation versus Reality”. For me, this is the main challenge in the coming years, as many innovative ideas have been introduced over the last years, including robotics, mesh prevention and others, but costs are further increasing, and implementation is often low, lacking solid evidence. As the new secretary of Science I hope to contribute to this evidence gap together with my wing.

5. What is your hidden talent?

Even in the face of adversity, I try to remain steadfast, refusing to yield to challenges. That way I try to fuel both my team and myself.

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