My name is Mesut Yeşilsoy. I am a general surgeon who recently completed my residency at Istanbul Koç University. I had the privilege of visiting the small yet wonderful city of Delft in the Netherlands and the large, sophisticated Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis hospital, thanks to the EHS Travel Grant, from 3-7 June 2024.
During my visit, I gained valuable insights into the approach to complex hernia cases. It is clear that surgeons must have different tools for different cases, and I firmly believe that robotic platforms are an essential addition to our repertoire. I had the chance to observe the effectiveness of using robotic systems in hernia surgeries, particularly in parastomal hernias. While some complex cases can be challenging to manage laparoscopically due to limited movement, robotic platforms offer a great solution for both patient care and surgeon ergonomics by overcoming these limitations.
Dr. Bloemendaal warmly welcomed me and answered all my questions with great care, covering every step of the surgery from patient positioning to skin closure and post-operative follow-up. He provided excellent advice on how to take the next steps in my career. Since my visit was after the 46th EHS Congress, I had the opportunity to discuss the presentations, new techniques, and videos from the congress, which was highly informative.
The city of Delft is small but beautiful, situated close to The Hague and Rotterdam. Its peaceful and cosy atmosphere contributed to an overall positive experience.
I appreciate the EHS for giving me this opportunity. Definitely, this trip has broadened my vision for my future career.
Kind regards,
Mesut YeĹźilsoy
