Learn more about the EHS collaborating societies and organisations – our collaboration partners across Europe and the world.
The European Hernia Society (EHS) is dedicated to fostering strong collaboration among organisations all over Europe, with a focus on enhancing hernia patients’ quality of life. Rooted in the core value of bringing diverse organisations together, the majority of EHS initiatives involve cooperation with surgeons across Europe, European surgery organisations, and international partners.
At present, EHS collaborates with 26 non-profit organisations across Europe, offering a broad and locally grounded perspective on hernia surgery in the region.
EHS partner organisations fall into three categories:
Different characteristics and benefits apply to each partner category. The widest-ranging level of collaboration exists with the EHS affiliated and associated societies, through the annual EHS societies’ Board meeting. (see list below). The close relationship between the EHS and the EHS affiliated and associated societies is a key principle of vital importance to the EHS, allowing the flow of knowledge between the EHS and its collaborating societies, to the benefit of patients across Europe.
EHS Associated Societies benefit from extended privileges and opportunities within the EHS. This is attributed to their closer connection with the EHS, including an additional reduction in membership fees for these societies collecting the membership fee for the EHS through the society.
Belgian Society for Abdominal Wall Surgery
Members: 593 national members, 18 board members
2001
a. Principal
The Section aims to improve the quality of the surgery of the entire abdominal wall in Belgium. The Section aims to represent surgeons from Belgium with a specific interest in abdominal wall surgery.
Members of the Board will be delegated to establish and maintain relations with Belgian, European or other national and international organisations, societies, and councils.
b. Scientific objectives.
The scientific objectives of the Section are to improve knowledge of abdominal wall surgery in Belgium.
Scientific meetings and workshops will be organised either for all members or for working groups. Scientific meetings of the Section will be organised in the context of the scientific program of the Belgian Royal Society for Surgery, including the Belgian Week of Surgery.
The Section will organise and support clinical or experimental studies in the field of abdominal wall surgery, following the rules specified in the appendix.
All scientific projects organised in the name of the Section and their results must be submitted to and approved by the scientific committee, before national or international presentation or publication.
Any Ordinary member can submit a scientific project to the board of the Section. The rules in the appendix have to be respected, as well as for publications or presentations of a study project in name of the Section.
c. Extra-scientific objectives
Improved quality of abdominal wall surgery will be based on increasing knowledge and skills as well as on continuous survey and audit of training and practice.
The Section will make efforts to improve training in abdominal wall surgery and to develop evidence-based guidelines.
The Section will contribute to the survey (audit) of abdominal wall surgery in Belgium. These efforts will be performed in close collaboration with all councils, boards, and governmental organisations already involved or having information.
BSW 25 April 2024 Program: BSAWS Session – 15 May 24 Cadaver Lab at CHU Liège – 15-11-24 Belgian Hernia Day -Tour & Taxi Brussels – 22-11-24 Cadaver Lab -UZ Gent
Yearly Belgian Hernia Day
Yearly Hernia Cadaver Labs for trainees
Scientific research and studies (Unite study NCT04437043; Belgian Hernia Database,…)
Information last submitted: Nov. 2024
2017
Members: 84
Bob Bloemendaal, Tammo de Vries Reilingh, Willem Zwaans, Sebastiaan van Steensel, Joris Harlaar, Eva Deerenberg, Martijn Möllers, Anandi Schiphorst
To bring together Dutch hernia surgeons, to train surgical trainees, to organize courses on hernia surgery and to support reserach in the field of abdominal wall hernia.
Our main activities:
TAR-course 4th november 2024
– Training surgical trainees
– Organize courses for (complex) abdominal wall surgery
– Support hernia research
Latest information received: May, 2024
French Hernia Society / Chapitre Français de l’EHS-GREPA
2021
Members: 300
We aim to structure the sharing of knowledge in the field of abdominal wall surgery, in particular through the Inter‑University Diploma (DIU) and Continuing Professional Development sessions. We are committed to keeping our community informed of the latest surgical advances through regular scientific monitoring, the publication of research, and the organization of our annual “Hernia France” congress. The SFCP‑CH aspires to become a cooperative network for research and patient management for abdominal wall and visceral surgeons, facilitating the exchange of best practices and supporting surgical decision‑making.
Our main activities:
Since our founding, we have structured the organization around a representative board of 15 members, initiated multicenter research projects, and collaborated with key stakeholders in the parietal field, both industrial and scientific. We have played a key role in the organization of parietal surgery education in France and have worked to disseminate knowledge and improve practices among French surgeons. Our community of surgeons now offers its expertise once a month during a parietal surgery multidisciplinary team meeting (RCP), democratizing clinical reflection around complex cases of parietal surgery. This collaboration also extends to conducting collaborative research within our national network. In the future, we aim to expand our community by sparking renewed interest and dynamism in our specialty.
Partnerships and Collaborations:
In close collaboration with national and international scientific societies, such as the European Hernia Society and the member associations of the Federation of Visceral and Digestive Surgery, we contribute to the development and popularization of parietal surgery. Our partnerships also extend to industry players who innovate in the creation of medical devices aimed at improving patient care.
Information last submitted: Feb. 2026
German Hernia Society / Deutsche Herniengesellschaft
2001
Members: 1043 (*01.03.2020)
Delegate contact: juttaschulz@t-online.de
The German Hernia Society is a society for interested and dedicated hernia surgeons.
Main Goal is a better treatment of our patients with :
The German Hernia Society is part of an international network.
Our main activities:
Information last submitted: Pre. 2024
Hellenic Hernia Association
Members: 125
Information last submitted: Nov. 2025
Italian Society of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery
Members: 214
Delegate contact: giuseppe.cavallaro@uniroma1.it
Goal:
Next meeting, activities, and general assembly: 11/14 October 2026
Information last submitted: Feb. 2026
Türk Fıtık Derneği / Turkish Hernia Society
Members: 173
Dr. Melih Paksoy, Dr. Metin Ertem, Dr. Hakan Gök, Dr. Taylan Sezer, Dr. Fatih Yanar
Dr. Hakan Gök – hakgok@gmail.com
Secretariat contact: fitikdernegi@gmail.com
The first article of our bylaws outlines our founding purpose: “To follow all advancements in abdominal wall hernias, to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among colleagues, and to establish high surgical standards nationwide.”
In May 2026, 11th Hernia School will be held in Trabzon
CONFERENCES, HERNIA SCHOOL PROJECT.
Information last submitted: Mar, 2026
Abdominal Wall Chapter of the Portuguese Surgical Society /
Capitulo da Parede Abdominal da Sociedade Portuguesa Cirurgia
1996
Members: 1270
Education on the abdominal wall surgery, either residents or specialists. Build a strong unit among surgeons, inspiring young future generations.
Our main activities:
2023 had the annual meting with the EHS endorsement “It was just a hernia”, with focus on complications, in 2024 had the abdominal wall round table at the national congress with the themes of umbilical hernia and the cirrhotic patient and incisional hernia in the emergency.
Preparing the residents anual course on simples hernias, the next year anual meting and next year round meting at the national congress, build a strong national hernia registry, updating the site on the guidelines, work on the references centers, bring inspiring newsletters to all surgeons, make surveys on hernia surgery state in Portugal, publishing on social media important data or information (Facebook – Hernia Portugal, whatsapp group of GREPA – national wide Portuguese abdominal wall surgeons).
Information last submitted: May, 2024
Portuguese Hernia and Abdominal Wall Society / Sociedade Portuguesa de Hérnia e Parede Abdominal
Members: 306
Location: Hotel Montebelo Viseu
Information last submitted: April, 2026
The societies are a non-profit dedicated to abdominal wall surgery, aligned with the European Hernia Society (EHS). It requires three board members and five general members, all EHS members. It organises regular training, including courses, webinars, and workshops, to support professional development within the field.
Österreichische Herniengesellschaft (ÖHG)
2021
Members: 80
PD Dr. Gernot Köhler
Promoting hernia surgery in every way. Best possible care for patients with hernias, scientific and educational activities, conference organization.
20-21.03.2025 Austrian Hernia Days
Information last submitted: Nov. 2024
British Hernia Society
2003
Website: www.britishherniasociety.org
Members: 400
The British Hernia Society provides leadership with regard to hernia surgery both nationally and internationally. We are involved with training, keeping surgeons up to date with latest hernia guidelines, and the development of robust outcome assessment for hernia surgery .We also aim to act as an authoritative unbiased resource of hernia information for surgeons, GPs, other healthcare professionals and patients.
BHS registry, training/teaching, research
Information last submitted: Nov. 2023
Bulgarian Hernia Society / Българско Херния Дружество
Members: 65
1.Implementation of specialized professional training in the field of hernias of the abdominal wall, as well as related areas such as anatomy, pathology, surgery, imaging diagnostics, etc.
2. Supporting the scientific and practical development of physicians in accordance with their age, needs, abilities and interests.
3. Transferring achievements from Europe and the world to Bulgaria.
4. Stimulating scientific and research activity in the field of hernias.
5. Developing programs for continuing education and maintaining qualifications.
6. Establishing funds for granting scholarships, as well as granting scholarships, grants, awards and financial support to talented medical students, doctors and other health professionals.
7. Assisting in increasing the professional and teaching competence of teachers participating in the trainings of the association.
8. Expanding public awareness, prevention and treatment of various types of hernias
Our main activities: Co-organizer of the 3rd EHS Monothematic Conference, 28 October 2024, Sofia
Information last submitted: Nov. 2024
Hernia Surgery Section, Czech Surgical Society / Herniologická sekce České chirurgické společnosti
Members: 65
Delegate contact of society: Petr Bystřický (petr.bys@atlas.cz)
Information last submitted: Mar. 2026
Danish Hernia Database / Dansk Herniedatabase
1998
Members: 110
Board:
Our main activities: Monitor and secure complete national data in the Danish Hernia Database, perform and publish research based on the data from the Database, provide feedback to Danish surgeons regarding quality of hernia surgery in Denmark, monitor new trends and techniques and compare results with previous ones.
Information last submitted: May, 2024
Finnish Hernia Society / Suomen Herniayhdistys
https://www.gastrokirurgit.fi/alaosasto-suomen-herniayhdistys/
Our main activities: Hernia Symposium every January and hernia session in National Surgical Meeting in November
Information last submitted: Feb. 2026
Hungarian Work Group for Abdominal Wall Surgery
2005
Information last submitted: Pre. 2024
Lithuanian Hernia Society / Lietuvos Išvaržų Chirurgijos Draugija (LICHD)
Year of foundation: 2019
Board members: Jonas Jurgaitis, Gintaras Pikunas, Aiste Riktere, Saulius Bulovas, Arvydas Kleiva
Contact: lichd2019@gmail.com
Our main activities: Organisation of conferences and trainings
Information last submitted: Nov. 2024
Asociación Española de Cirugía / National Spanish Association of Surgeons
1935
Members: 5000
José Antonio Pereira Rodríguez, Manuel López Cano, Pilar Hernández Granados, Salvador Morales Conde
Our main activities: La AEC tiene como finalidad esencial contribuir al progreso de la cirugía en todos sus aspectos, promoviendo la formación, el desarrollo y el perfeccionamiento profesional de los cirujanos, procurando la mejor calidad en la asistencia a los pacientes y fomentando la docencia y la investigación.
Information last submitted: Feb. 2026
Norsk Brokkirurgisk Forening
Year of foundation: 2021
Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1352298518124455
Board members: Tina Gaarder, Signe Røstad, Kari Erichsen, Per Even Storli, Knut Borch
Information last submitted: May 2025
Herniološko Združenje Slovenije / Slovenenian Hernia Society
2004
Members: 70
Delegate: Jurij Gorjanc (jurij.gorjanc@mf.uni-lj.si)
Promoting hernia surgery with workshops in regional hospitals in Slovenia
Information last submitted: Mar. 2026
SIKT – Svensk förening för innovativ kirurgisk tekonologi
Members: Members of the Swedish Association for Innovative Surgical Technology: 230
SIKT was formed by fusion av the Association for minimal invasive surgery and the workgroup for abdominal wall surgery, and focuses on both abdominal wall surgery and surgical technology. Our goals are to stimulate education of surgeons, and create tools for this. Stimulate research and support surgical registries to get evidence in those fields.
Current main activities: Preparing for our part of the program for Swedish surgical week.
Information last submitted: May, 2025
Schweizerische Arbeitsgruppe Für Hernien Chirurgie / Swiss Association for Hernia Surgery
2018
Members: 92
The Swiss Association for Hernia Surgery is a society for interested and dedicated hernia surgeons.
Main Goal is a better treatment of our patients with:
The Swiss Association for Hernia Surgery is part of an international network.
23. – 24.10.2025 (Swiss Hernia Days = Annual Meeting of SAHC)
Since the founding of the SAHC in 2018, hernia surgery has gained in importance worldwide. After remaining in the niche of a discipline that received little attention for many decades, it has now emerged from this shadow and emancipated itself. Simple hernia surgery has become “abdominal wall reconstruction” and thus the decisive term that has initiated the rise of this exciting discipline.
In addition to rapid technological developments such as new minimally invasive techniques or the introduction of robotics, training and further education have also evolved. Anatomical workshops, interactive congresses and not least the official specialist title of the UEMS (F.E.B.S. Abdominal Wall Surgery) have contributed to a new standing of hernia surgery worldwide.
The SAHC is an official interest group of the SGC (Swiss Surgical Society) and has set itself the political goal of further developing hernia surgery in all its professional and health policy facets in Switzerland. At the same time, the connection of the SAHC to the umbrella organizations SGC (national level) and EHS (international level) is to be further optimized. With the “Swiss Hernia Days”, the SAHC has a prestigious annual congress that is gaining increasing recognition and popularity both nationally and internationally.
Information last submitted: Nov. 2024
Ukranian Hernia Society
2003
Members: 460
Our aim is to promote safe, effective and high quality hernia surgery throughout the Ukraine.
Information last submitted: Pre. 2024
These organisations collaborate with the European Hernia Society (EHS) on specific activities through formal agreements. While they do not fulfil the criteria to become an EHS Affiliated or Associated society or may choose not to, they remain partners in advancing joint initiatives and promoting professional development within the field.
Israeli Hernia Society
Latest information received:
Abdominal Wall Recontruction Surgeons Community
Organisation’s Focus on Abdominal Wall Surgery:
The AWR Surgeons’ Community (AWRSC) is one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing surgical communities in the world, with close to 6000 active members and a global footprint extending across continents. Founded in 2017 by Dr. B. Ramana, along with Dr. Ramesh Punjani and Dr. Pramod Shinde, AWRSC was created as a non-profit trust to advance the science, skill, and standards in abdominal wall reconstruction and hernia surgery. Since then, it has become a transformative force in how AWR surgery is practiced, taught, and learned-not just in India, but globally.
Upcoming events: AB Wall Tribe Summit 2026, Deep Impact Red
Information last submitted: January 2026
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