What’s your name and age?
Eva Barbosa, 53.
Where do you come from?
Portugal.
How long have you been an EHS member?
I have been an EHS member for three years.
Describe a day at work as a surgeon in your country:
A day is more difficult to describe but a Portuguese surgeon´s week at a public hospital usually includes a period of outpatient clinic (4-6 hours), a shift in the ER (between 12 to 24 hours depending on the age), clinical meetings and OR. OR shifts can be long, sometimes from 8.30 am to 8 pm. Before any of these activities the day starts with the inpatient rounds at 8 am.
What is your favourite AWR procedure/hernia surgery?
Big complex cases that need a lot of engineering and planning to resolve and treat, usually requiring component separation techniques.
Why is it your favourite procedure?
Treating hernias with multiple enterocutaneous fistula cases (joining my expertise as both a colorectal and hernia surgeon). Giving back to the patient, his missed quality of life.
Who inspired you to become a hernia enthusiast/surgeon?
Professor Teixeira Gomes was my big mentor in becoming a surgeon. I met him as the Head of General Surgery in Hospital de Matosinhos (Porto, Portugal) in my surgical rotation as a young intern, before choosing the residency program and that changed my life. Becoming a hernia surgeon come after my involvement with acute surgical patients with open abdomen as a senior resident and young consultant. After many years being a colorectal and hernia surgeon, I am now almost totally devoted to hernia surgery, being the head of the Complex Abdominal Wall Unit at a major university hospital.
Please, give a small tip or trick to share for this or any other hernia procedure?
I have to say that planning is the best tip I can give to someone. Specially in complex cases, never assume all cases are equal. Meticulous planning, reviewing CT imaging right before surgery and making in your head all the road map is particularly important. Having the necessary tools and knowledge is essential. Ask for advice whenever in doubt.
Have you attended an EHS congress, meeting, or course?
Yes, I attend EHS Congresses.
Which made the biggest impression on you?
The EHS annual Congress is an event that can’t be missed (any of them that I attended)
What made it great?
The EHS Congress always covers important up to date hernia topics, from the simpler cases to the more complex, in a friendly environment with a great, renowned faculty.
How can the EHS help you in the future?
EHS is a big family that can help bring knowledge and support in events in our country. I hope to continue to have the EHS support in those events and build a strong partnership between societies.
What is your dream for the future of hernia surgery?
Inspiring young surgeons in this great surgical field that has changed so much in recent years. In Portugal I dream of the growth of more specialized and structured hernia units all over the country, giving patients the best care possible in this field.