World-leading pediatric surgery meets at Karolinska
Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet proudly hosted the internationally acclaimed European Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction Meeting, where the world’s foremost pediatric surgeons, urologists, gynecologists, and gastroenterologists gathered to explore the latest innovations in pediatric surgery. The shared goal was to improve care for children affected by Hirschsprung’s disease, anorectal malformations, and fecal incontinence.
Conference founders Marc Levitt and Ivo de Blaauw were deeply impressed by the engagement and global participation at this 16th annual meeting, a concept that began 18 years ago and continued to grow every year.
“The conference has expanded enormously! We could never have imagined it becoming this successful. This year, we welcomed 250 delegates from 40 countries across the globe,” said Professor Ivo de Blaauw.
Dr. Levitt added:
“It’s an incredibly dynamic meeting, attracting both young professionals, trainees, early-career medical staff, and experienced colleagues. What unites everyone here is a shared passion for learning and exploring new ideas in our field, and that’s exactly what this conference is all about.”
Marc Levitt is Chief of the Division of Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction at Children’s National Hospital and Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at The George Washington University School of Medicine, USA. Ivo de Blaauw is Professor of Pediatric Surgery at Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Interactive research and the voice of patients
The conference featured hands-on workshops and lively panel discussions where experts tackled complex surgical challenges. Children with congenital malformations or diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus often continue to face health challenges well into adulthood, making collaboration and knowledge-sharing vital. In addition to the medical staff, patient representatives were also an important part of the event, providing valuable insights that help shape future care.
Tomas Wester, Professor at Karolinska Institutet and Senior Consultant at the Division of Pediatric Surgery at Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, was part of the organizing committee. He emphasized the unique spirit of openness that defined the meeting:
“We’re proud to host this year’s European Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction Meeting at Karolinska. What makes this conference special is its informal and open atmosphere, it allows us to talk honestly about our mistakes and challenges. That’s the only way we can truly learn and improve,” said Wester.
The day before the conference, on Wednesday, a special workshop for future pediatric surgeons brought together 27 participants from 14 different countries. It was a full day dedicated to hands-on training using surgical models and in-depth seminars on diagnosis, surgical techniques, and long-term follow-up for children affected by Hirschsprung’s disease and anorectal malformations.
Nurses at the heart of pediatric care
Running alongside the main event on October 22 was a dedicated nursing program, which brought together 45 participants to discuss current challenges and innovations in pediatric colorectal care. This forum highlighted the crucial role nurses play in improving patient outcomes and ensuring holistic, compassionate care for children living with these complex conditions.
Karolinska University Hospital continues to be a global hub for innovation, education, and excellence in pediatric surgery, fostering international collaboration to ensure every child receives the best possible care – today and in the future.
Read more about conference here: 16th Annual European Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction Conference | EPCM 2025
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Text: Sara Dinwiddie.