What’s your name?
Halil Afşin Taşdelen
How old are you?
56.
Where do you come from?
Türkiye.
How long have you been an EHS member?
Since 2020.
Describe a day at work as a surgeon in your country:
I work at a university hospital, starting my day around 7:30 a.m. with rounds in the general surgery clinic and intensive care unit. I have two full operating days per week, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., focusing almost exclusively on abdominal wall and hernia surgery. On nonsurgical days, I attend interdisciplinary meetings, see outpatient clinic patients, perform endoscopy, teach medical students, and devote time to research and resident training. Additionally, I work three 24-hour emergency room shifts per month.
What is your favourite AWR procedure/hernia surgery?
The eTEP approach is my favorite.
Why is it your favourite procedure?
The eTEP concept is my favorite because it offers ergonomic, flexible port placements, enables repairs of hernia defects at any location on the abdominal wall, and allows extended dissection via eTEP-TAR.
Who inspired you to become a hernia enthusiast/surgeon?
Both Prof. Ertugrul Karahüseyinoğlu (RIP) and Prof. Ercüment Pasaoglu (RIP) inspired me during my residency to pursue hernia and minimally invasive surgery. Additionally, I am sincerely grateful to Prof. Victor Radu, who has inspired and helped me advance further in hernia surgery.
Please, give a small tip or trick to share for this or any other hernia procedure?
If things seem easy and the pace is increasing, consider intentionally slowing down. At key steps in the procedure, take a brief pause to reassess your progress and anatomical landmarks.
Have you attended an EHS congress, meeting, or course?
Yes.
Which made the biggest impression on you?
Attending an EHS congress was particularly inspiring. Witnessing hernia surgeons connect, openly share experiences—including mistakes—in such a collegial and supportive environment left the biggest impression on me.
What made it great?
It was great because I was exposed to cuttingedge approaches, concepts, and technologies in hernia surgery. Equally valuable was the chance to discuss diverse challenges and solutions directly with leading experts and peers.
How can the EHS help you in the future?
The EHS can help me in the future by continuing to foster collaboration opportunities, providing advanced educational resources, and maintaining strong professional connections across the hernia surgery community.
What is your dream for the future of hernia surgery?
My dream is to achieve a future where every type of hernia has a durable, personalized, and ideal solution, utilising biomechanically optimal materials.