What’s your name?
Maria Drogouti
How old are you?
39 years old.
Where do you come from?
Greece.
How long have you been an EHS member?
3 years.
Describe a day at work as a surgeon in your country:
In my hospital, we start at 8.00 am with the morning briefing. Depending on the day, it’s then either theatre lists, ward rounds, outpatient clinic or administrative and academic work. I also typically cover three 24- hour emergency shifts per month.
The activity I enjoy the most is following up patients after abdominal wall surgery in the outpatient clinic: it is very rewarding to see patients returning to normal activities and their quality of life improving!
What is your favourite AWR procedure/hernia surgery?
I had the privilege to work as a Fellow at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh during the first steps of my career; there I was exposed to my favorite AWR procedure, the peritoneal flap hernioplasty, alongside an inspiring team, including Mr Bruce Tulloh and Mr Andrew de Beaux.
Why is it your favourite procedure?
It is an excellent alternative to component separation, and it can reduce the need for extensive dissection. It is versatile and, with attention to anatomy, it can also be used for oblique hernias.
Who inspired you to become a hernia enthusiast/surgeon?
Mr Dimitrios Damaskos (Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh), who used to be my educational supervisor. He is an outstanding surgeon committed to excellence, safety and education and I remain grateful for his guidance and friendship.
Please, give a small tip or trick to share for this or any other hernia procedure?
When it comes to complex cases, I find it very important to thoroughly review imaging and all previous operative notes.
I always try to have alternative/bail-out plans and keep the hernia sac until the end.
Have you attended an EHS congress, meeting, or course?
Yes.
Which made the biggest impression on you?
The last one, which took place in Porto.
What made it great?
It was during Porto 2026 that I obtained the UEMS/FEBS AWS certification, and I also proudly joined the EHS Young Surgeons’ Wing, a passionate group of young surgeons.
How can the EHS help you in the future?
The EHS is a big hernia family that helps all members learn in this rapidly evolving subspecialty of AWS. Traveling the world-to meetings, congresses and courses- and networking with international skillful and inspiring surgeons and friends, I would love to continue improving, as there is always still a lot to learn in the field.
What is your dream for the future of hernia surgery?
First, my dream is a future where surgeons worldwide stop seeing it as “just a hernia”, recognising it as a condition that takes away from people their ability to work or live without pain.
Then, I would be happy if where you are born no longer determines how your hernia is treated, as in many low-income countries safe hernia surgery is still out of reach.