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Message from Professor Jacques Perissat:

Dear Friends,

I have the extreme sadness informing you that Doctor Philippe Mouret passed away June 20th 2008. He was fighting against an inexorable illness since long months with great courage. He never stopped lecturing on the passion of his life, minimally invasive surgery until the last moment

He was in Osaka two months ago to give as promised, a brilliant talk knowing that trip will be the last one of his life. I am sure that all of you had the opportunity to appreciate the qualities of Philippe as regards to our profession as well as regards to our fundamental standards of culture. Doctor Philippe Mouret has already his name in the History of Surgery. Some of you have official position in the leadership of prestigious scientific surgjcal societies. I would be extremely pleased if you can pass that so sad information towards your members. They can express their tribute to Philippe by writing some words to his spouse Christine through my E-mail address. I will make the transfer to her address. She will appreciate very much. All my best regards to you friends,

Jacques Périssat

Message from Professor Tehemton E. Udwadia

It is with the deepest sorrow that I received the sad news of the death of dear Philipe. No words can do justice to Philippe the man, the surgeon, the teacher, the visionary, the missionary, the friend. He was the inspiration to every M.A.S. surgeon, and all who knew him personally exulted in his freindship. He carried his greatness with the utmost humility and grace. Indian laparoscopy looked upon Philippe as an integral part of I.A.G.E.S., their friend, philosopher and guide.

To me personally, Philippe was more than a friend or inspiration. His self effacing work in the developing world shamed me and several others into diverting our energies in the spread of M.A.S. to the under - privileged.

Every effort will be made to spread this sad news by I.F.S.E.S. This news will be posted on our website, and I would request you Jacques to foreword messages you receive to the website.

Please convey my message, sincere condolences to his dear wife Christine with the thought that very many share her sorrow and her loss.

Kind regards,

Tehemton

President I.F.S.E.S.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION: Minimal Access Surgery was fast becoming a world phenomenon by 1991. An International group of surgeons committed to the spread of M.A.S. got together at the 3rd World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery in Bordeaux in 1992 under the Chairmanship of Professor Jacques Perissat with the determination to set up an International Federation dedicated to the spread. The then purpose of this Federation is to enhance and promote Endoscopic Surgery and minimal access techniques by: serving as an International forum for the disevaluation, and dissemination of information pertaining to Endoscopic Surgery access techniques, selecting the venue for Biennial World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery. This was not to be a Federation of Surgeons but of Surgical Societies whose members were Laparoscopic surgeons from all over the world. The formation of the Federation was the culmination of ground work done by the Founder President Dr. Gerald Marks together with a large number of actively involved surgeons. This was the birth of the International Federation of Societies of Endoscopic Surgeons (IFSES) in 1992. A unique concept of IFSES was that these surgeons from several Endoscopy Societies sought and obtained the partnership of Industry, so that leading manufacturers joined IFSES as Corporate Members making this the only Federation where surgeons integrate with and actively involve Industry to help achieve the mutual goal of the growth and spread of M.A.S. MISSION STATEMENT: M.A.S. is so encompassing in its spread, so varying in its complexity and instrumentation, the spectrum of surgical care in the world so disparate, from the opulent to the deprived, that to state that the IFSES mission through the activities of its Member Societies and Corporate Members is the growth and spread of M.A.S., all over the world may appear idealistic and futuristic. IFSES is aware of the magnitude of the problems, but is evolving a strategy to try, as best, to achieve its mission. It is NOT the role, scope or intent of IFSES to duplicate any of the programmes of its Member Societies. It is NOT the intent of IFSES to actively approach any Corporate Member for monetary funds. That is the prerogative of the Member Societies. IFSES is rich in the quality, capability, activity and culture of each one of its Member Societies and the ethical and professional excellence of its Corporate Members. IFSES should and will act as a meeting point, unifying force, melting pot, apex body of all its Member Societies, for harmonious interaction and cooperative efforts of the Societies - to help facilitate the spread of M.A.S. world wide. The current President comes from a developing country and it will be his constant thrust to channelize the efforts of all Member Societies and Corporate Partners towards helping ensure optimal surgical care through M.A.S. to all people in all places. A few aspects which IFSES should contribute to spread of M.A.S. worldwide are:   Record current details of all Member Societies and Corporate Members, their Presidents / Chairmen, contact persons with addresses, representatives in the IFSES Executive Committee, dates of future conferences, publications, websites etc.       Maintaining and posting a complete calendar of dates of all surgical endoscopic meetings world wide over the next few years, not only of Member Societies but also of National Societies of its Europe [EAES], Asia[ELSA], India[IAGES], South America [FELAC and ALACE] Member Societies. This would enable National and International Societies to plan meeting without clash or conflict, and give surgeons prior notice of these meetings. Moreover, it would provide Industry an opportunity to exhibit their products with proper planning. Greater participation of industry would give financial support to the Conferences. For this it is very imperative that EVERY Member Society exert to post this information on the Website early and with complete details of conferences venue, dates, host organization, contact persons, registration and abstract dates.   Creating an International Data Base of:     Surgeons, and institutions desiring to receive the benefit of M.A.S. training programmes. Surgeons of good standing willing to travel and teach in neighbouring countries. Surgeons willing to absorb some of these trainees into their Fellowship/ Observer programmes. Stockpile of equipment ready for donation when required by Corporate partners/Member Societies/Hospitals.   International Fellowship opportunities list - Universities, Hospitals could give date of Fellowship in M.A.S. open to all countries, particularly in the developing World.   International Reporting of Research Grants in the terms of Fellowship Opportunity.   International job registering in terms of the above. This could include Bio-Engineering, nursing, O.R. technician opportunities in M.A.S. All of these above will have a dead line time after which they will be automatically deleted.   A conspicuous absentee from the Member Societies is representation from Africa. A Committee has been found with Professor J. Perissat as Chairman to correct this inequity and help spread in Africa as also embrace countries in Africa with active Endoscopy Surgical Societies.   All the above, and much more has for the International Federation Of Societies Of Endoscopic Surgeons basically only one mission - the growth, future progress and spread of M.A.S. World-Wide.