What’s your name and age?
Robbert-Jan Lindeman, 36.
Where do you come from?
Norway
How long have you been an EHS member?
Since 2021
Describe a day at work as a surgeon in your country:
I work at Stavanger University Hospital, where my time is divided between the emergency room, outpatient clinic, multidisciplinary team meetings, and hernia surgery. At the moment, we are transitioning from laparoscopic to robotic hernia repair, although we still perform open procedures such as the Rives-Stoppa technique regularly. In addition, I lead the Norwegian International Hernia Team, which provides education in low-resource settings. Together with colleagues, we organize structured training courses in Ghana and Sierra Leone, using the Alfred Surgery education platform.
What is your favourite AWR procedure/hernia surgery?
Repairing massive inguinoscrotal hernias during our training courses in low-resource settings.
Why is it your favourite procedure?
Because you never fully know what to expect—the anatomy and structures can often be surprising, which makes every case both challenging and interesting.
Who inspired you to become a hernia enthusiast/surgeon?
My good colleague and friend, Knut Borch.
Please, give a small tip or trick to share for this or any other hernia procedure?
Be patient. Know your anatomy well and always respect the tissues. Aim to reduce the hernia contents early, as this will make dissection easier. And never forget to watch out for sliding hernias!
Have you attended an EHS congress, meeting, or course?
Yes, several.
Which made the biggest impression on you?
The hands-on cadaveric masterclasses.
What made it great?
The chance to work side by side with EHS experts is an exceptional experience. These sessions offer a true deep dive into different techniques and procedures, guided by the knowledge and experience of world-leading specialists.
How can the EHS help you in the future?
By supporting the further development of our structured training programs for countries with limited resources.
What is your dream for the future of hernia surgery?
To collaborate with enthusiastic and inspiring colleagues around the world, share knowledge, and help build sustainable training programs that empower surgeons and healthcare providers globally.