On May 8, 2026, Tuzla will become a regional hub of modern surgical practice with the organization of the first professional symposium, “ERAS in Colorectal Surgery.”
The symposium is organized by the Clinic of Surgery of the University Clinical Center Tuzla and will take place at the Salis Hotel. This high- level professional gathering is expected to bring together nearly 200 participants and 20 distinguished lecturers from Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad, positioning it among the most significant events in the field of colorectal surgery in the region.
The central focus of the symposium will be the implementation of the ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocol in combination with minimally invasive surgical techniques, which together represent the modern standard in the treatment of colorectal diseases. The application of these approaches enables faster patient recovery, reduces the risk of complications, shortens hospital stays, and improves overall treatment outcomes.
The symposium is conceived as a multidisciplinary meeting, bringing together surgeons, anesthesiologists, gastroenterologists, radiologists, nutritionists, as well as nurses and medical technicians, with the aim of strengthening teamwork and standardizing perioperative care.
The program will address key aspects of modern colorectal patient management, including:
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implementation of ERAS protocols in everyday clinical practice
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the role of minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic and robotic approaches)
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preoperative optimization and patient preparation
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a multimodal approach to postoperative recovery
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the importance of nursing care within the ERAS concept
Each session will conclude with panel discussions, providing an opportunity for open dialogue and the exchange of knowledge and clinical experience among participants.
Prof. Dr. Zlatan Mehmedović, Head of the Clinic of Surgery at the University Clinical Center Tuzla, emphasized the importance of integrating ERAS principles with minimally invasive techniques:“Today, surgery cannot be viewed in isolation from the entire perioperative process. ERAS protocols and minimally invasive surgery are closely interconnected, and our goal is not only a technically successful procedure, but also a fast and safe recovery for the patient. A multidisciplinary approach is essential, and it is precisely through meetings like this that we can collectively advance treatment standards,”.
