A UNIQUE EXCHANGE OF CULTURE AND EDUCATION...

Ea09slide This Summit, held every two years, with delegations of leading laparoscopists representing organizations and countries in Europe and the Americas provides a meaningful educational and cultural exchange with thought leaders in minimally invasive surgery. A similar Summit is held on alternate years for Pacific Rim countries. Summits are also open to surgeons in all specialties wishing to learn about current trends. Plan on attending this year’s extraordinary event at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Orlando, Florida, USA.

EuroAmerican Multispecialty Summit IV
Laparoscopy and Minimally Invasive Surgery

February 11-14, 2009

Disney's Contemporary Resort • Orlando, Florida, USA

Early Bird
Registration Opens: September 22, 2008 • Closes: December 11, 2008
Online Registration Closes: January 21, 2009  
Make your hotel reservations by January 12, 2009  for Discounted Conference Rates

COUNTRIES / ORGANIZATIONS / FACULTY

PROGRAM DIRECTORS
Maurice K. Chung, MD
Harrith M. Hasson, MD
William E. Kelley, Jr., MD
Charles H. Koh, MD
Raymond J. Lanzafame, MD, MBA
Carl J. Levinson, MD
Elspeth M. McDougall, MD
John E. Morrison, Jr., MD
Farr Nezhat, MD
Gustavo Stringel, MD

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Michael S. Kavic, MD
Liselotte Mettler, Prof Dr Med

GENERAL CHAIR
Paul Alan Wetter, MD

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE / PRELIMINARY FACULTY
Ferdinando Agresta, MD
Sheikh Bakhtiar Ahmad, MD
Omer Alabaz, Prof Dr Med
Christian Alabi, MRCOG
Dinu Florin Albu, Prof Dr Med
Luiz Fernando Albuquerque, MD
Anthony Alfred-Igbokwe, MD
Mohammed F. Al-Kerithy, MD, PhD
Ediz Altinli, Prof Dr Med
Raymundo Anaya, MD
Roberto Angioli, Prof Dr Med
Forgione Antonello, MD, PhD
I. Atilla Aridogan, MD
Palfi Attila, MD
Riccardo Autorino, MD, PhD
Faruq Mohamed Badiuddin, MD
Yildirim Bayazit, MD
Tahar Benhidjeb, Prof Dr Med
Franco Bergamaschi, MD
Bernd Bojahr, MD, PhD
Guglielmo Breda, MD
Viorel Bucuras, MD
Hazarapet Buniatyan, MD
Fadime Didem Can, MD
Michel J. Canis, MD, PhD
Jose Morais Castro, MD
Fausto Catena, MD, PhD
Antonio Celia, MD
Stefanos Chandakas, MD MBA PhD
Ashfaq Hussain Chandio, MBBS
Eboh James Chidozie, MD MBA
Luca Cindolo, MD
Ignazio Massimo/M Civello,
Prof Dr Med
Ladele Adediran Cletus, MBBS
Admar Filho Concon, MD
Hector Consani, MD
Catalin Copaescu, MD, PhD
Leonardo Costatino, MD
Paul G. Curcillo II, MD
Francesco Curto, MD
Alfred Cuschieri, Prof Dr Med
Abri de Bruin, MD
R.L. De Wilde, Prof Dr Med
Jacques Dequesne, MD
Humberto Jimenez Diaz, MD, PhD
Soliman Hamed Elkammash, MD
Mario Falsaperla, Prof Dr Med
Gerald M. Fried, MD
Rania Gabr, MD
Roberto Gallardo, MD
Richaro Gaston, MD
Bhaskar Goolab, Prof Dr Med
Dimitrie Grama, MD
Alain Granier, MD, PhD
Tihomir Grgic, Dr Med
Gaetano Grosso, MD
Thomas P. HuttL, MD, PhD
Christian Alexander Hernandez, MD
Toril Nagelhus Hernes, Prof Dr Med
Maher K. Hussein, MD
Usman Jaffer, MBBS
Karl Walter Jauch, Prof Dr Med
Rassweiler Jens, Prof Dr Med
Eiji Kanehira, MD, PhD
Matthias Kapischke, MD
Andronikos Karasakalides, MD
Suhail Kazim, MD
Joachim Kettenbach, Prof Dr Med
Behnaz Khani Rabati, MD
Doron Kopelman, MD
Colin M. Krueger, MD, PhD, MBA
Muhammad Saeed Kummah, MD
Gyrgy L.z.r, Prof Dr Med
Eylon Lachman, MD
Reinhold Andreas Lang, Dr Med
Leonid Lantsberg, Prof Dr Med
Fabrice Lecuru, MD, PhD
Costantino Leonardo, MD, PhD
Marc J. Lepere, MD
Michael R. Marohn, DO
Giorgio Raffaele Martina, MD
Liselotte Mettler, Prof Dr Med
Eduardo Jose Miranda, MD
Evangelos Misiakos, MD
Waldir Pereira Modotte, Prof Dr Med
Hisham Yousef Mohamad,
Prof Dr Med
Alexander Kaoranu Molokwu, MD
Pedro E. Morales, MD
Philippe Morel, Prof Dr Med
Giuseppe Morgia, Prof Dr Med
Manuel G. Mota, MD
Jose A. Munoz, MD
Ahmed Abdel Fattah Nada,
Prof Dr Med
Khusen B. Narzullaev, MD, PhD
Vincenzo Neri, MD
Alkestie Nicolaou, MD
Giuseppe R. Nigri, MD, PhD
Druzijanic Nikica, MD, PhD
Francisco Alberto Obregon, MD
Abdel Rahman Ahmed Omer, MD, PhD
Alberto Pamsadoro, MD
Dalibor Panuska, MD
Moshe Z. Papa, Prof Dr Med
Basilios Papaziogas, Dr Med
Charilaos C. Pappis, MD, PhD
Jiri Paral, MD, PhD
Vipul Patel, MD
Benjamin Person, MD
Luigi S. Pezzullo, Prof Dr Med
Andrea Polara, MD
Niels Qvist, Prof Dr Med
Noshaba Rafiq, MBBS
Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani, MD
Munir A. Rathore, MBBS
Bernardo Rocco, MD
Nelson A. Romero-Caballero, MD
Abdulrahim Ali Rouzi, Prof Dr Med
Eduardo N. Saad, MD
Robert Sabbah, Prof Dr Med
Lukas Sakra, MD, PhD
Isam M. A. Salam, Prof Dr Med
Roberto C. Sanseverino, MD
Tushar Satish Samdani, MS
Sudip K. Sarker, MD, PhD
Mohamed A. Sawrabi, MD
Markus Schoer, Prof Dr Med
Sergio Schettini, MD
Luigi Schips, MD
Daniel S. Seidman, Prof Dr Med
Muhammad Yusaf Shah, MBSS
Hassan Z. Shaker, Prof Dr Med
Kourosh Shamimi, Prof Dr Med
Fabrizio Signore, MD
Gintaras Simutis, MD, PhD
Ornella Sizzi, MD
Luiz Henrique Sousa, MD
Vicente Spinelli, MD
Petr Stadler, MD, PhD
Michael M. Stark, Prof Dr Med
Maximilian Stehr, Prof Dr Med
Igor C. Stipancic, Prof Dr Med
Eugen Tarcoveanu, Prof Dr Med
Eiman R. Tawheed, MD
Garri Tchartchian, MD
Katerina Theodoropoulou, MD
John Thiel, MD
Calin I. Tiu, MD, PhD
Baki Topal, Prof Dr Med
Dezso Toth, MD
Georgios Tsoulfas, MD
Ilan Tur-Kaspa, MD
Paolo Ubiali, MD
Cihat Unlu, Prof Dr Med
Ali Uzunkoy, Prof Dr Med
Rafael Valle, MD
Hans J.J. van Beek, MD, PhD
Bruno J. van Herendael, Prof Dr Med
Alin Vasilescu, MD
Rosario Vecchio, Prof Dr Med
Amir Vejdan, Dr Med
Dragen Vidovic, MD
Jozef Vracko, MD, PhD
Eelco Wassenaar, MD
Antoine A. Watrelot, Prof Dr Med
Jean-Christophe Weber, Prof Dr Med
Bulent Yaycioglu, MD
Gazi Yildirim, MD
Boris Yoffe, MD
Abby Yusuf, MD

The EuroAmerican MultiSpecialty Summit IV of Laparoscopy and Minimally Invasive Surgery Preliminary Faculty and Organizing Committee Members represent the following:

COUNTRIES
Argentina
Armenia
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Egypt
El Salvador
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iran
Ireland Republic
Israel
Italy
Kuwait
Lebanon
Lithuania
Mexico
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Norway
Pakistan
Portugal
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Scotland
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
South Africa
Sudan
Sultanate of Oman
Sweden
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
The Netherlands
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
USA
Uzbekistan
Venezuela

ORGANIZATIONS
Adana Numune Hospital
ARCE
Argentine Society of Surgery
Asociacion Nicaraguense de Cirugia General (ANCG)
Association Suisse Romande de Chirurgie Coelioscopique
British Society Of Gynaecological Endoscopy and European Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy
Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome
Club Coelio
Croatian Association of Endoscopic Surgery
Cukurova University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery
Egyptian Society of Laparoscopic Surgery
Emirates Society of Laparoendscopic Surgeons
European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE)
German Society of Gynecological Endoscopy
Gynaecological Endoscopic Platform
Gynecologic Endoscopy Department
Hellenic Society of Endoscopic Surgery
International Society of Sympathetic Surgery
Israeli Society of Endoscopic Surgery
Italian Endourological Association
Italian Society of Young Surgeons
Mediterranean Society for Reproductive Medicine
Mexico Surgeons for Gynecologic Endoscopy
Romanian Group
Royal Belgian Society and its Sections
Sociedade Portuguesa De Cirurgia Minimamente Invasiva
Turkish Cukurova Delegation
Turkish Society of Endoscopic-Laparoscopic and Minimal Invasive Surgery

ATTENDEE OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this program are to provide attendees with:

• A multidisciplinary and multicultural exchange of information between surgeons representing their country or a professional organization on the challenges faced practicing and teaching minimally invasive surgeons. 

• A clearer concept of new and standard laparoscopic and endoscopic instrumentation and techniques and how they enhance the standards of patient care and education of minimally invasive surgeons.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
General Surgeons, Gynecologists, and Urologists who have an interest in diagnostic and therapeutic minimally invasive techniques as well as those laparoscopists interested in the unique challenges and opportunities of minimally invasive surgery in Europe and the Americas.

CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION PROCESS FOR THE SOCIETY OF LAPAROENDOSCOPIC SURGEONS
The Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS) follows the Essential Areas and Criteria of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education in planning and developing CME activities. You may view the complete process online on the "About SLS" webpage at www.SLS.org.

 

Preliminary Program Agenda

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2009
3:00–6:00pm    CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

6:00–7:00pm    OPENING CEREMONY AND WELCOME
                        Paul Alan Wetter, MD, Chairman
                        Walt Disney World Sizzle
                        Delegation Introductions: Organizing Committee Chair and Co-Chair
                        Cultural Presentation: The Role of Endoscopic Surgery in Latin America and Its Development
                         Roberto Gallardo, MD • Guatemala
                         Cultural Presentation: South Africa – A True Rainbow Nation
                         Abri de Bruin, MD • South Africa

7:00-8:00pm    WELCOME RECEPTION

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2009
7:00–12:00pm  Conference Registration Open
7:00–7:30am    CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
7:30–7:45am    OPENING REMARKS
                         Paul Alan Wetter, MD • Chairman

MULTIDISCIPLINARY
Moderators • Raymond J. Lanzafame, MD, MBA / Carl J. Levinson, MD


7:45-8:00am    MR Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS): An Overview on Current Gynaecological Applications (for the Treatment of Uterine Fibroids, Adenomiosis, and Fertility)
                         Doron Kopelman, MD • Israel
8:00-8:15am    The FLS Program for Teaching and Evaluating Fundamental Laparoscopic Skills
                         Gerald Fried, MD • Canada
8:15-8:30am    Laparoscopic Management of the Acute Abdomen
                         Roberto Gallardo, MD • Guatemala
8:30-8:45am    Laparoscopic Colposacropexy in the Treatment of Pelvic Organ Prolapse. Is It Always Feasible?
                         Alberto Pansadoro, MD • Italy

CANCER
Moderators • Farr Nezhat, MD / William E. Kelley, Jr., MD


8:45-9:00am    Laparoscopic Lymphonode Dissection in Gynecology Oncology: Indications and Techniques
                         Roberto Angioli, MD • Italy
9:00-9:15am    The Molecular Mechanism of Peritoneal Dissemination of Cancer and of Adhesion Formation After Laparoscopy and Laparotomy
                         Michel Canis, MD • France
9:15-9:30am    Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Cancer: Adequacy of Surgical Resection; Outcome
                         Baki Topal, MD • Belgium
9:30-9:45am    Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer
                         Maher Hussein, MD • Lebanon
9:45–10:00am  BREAK

GENERAL SURGERY
Moderators • Michael S. Kavic, MD / Gustavo Stringel, MD


10:00-10:15am    Laparoscopic Aortoiliac Surgery
                             Petr Stadler, MD, PhD • Czech Republic
10:15-10:30am    Staging Laparoscopy in Oncological Abdominal Diseases
                             Rosario Vecchio, MD • Italy
10:30-10:45am    Cultural Presentation: Evolution (Or Involution?) of Laparoscopic Gynecological Surgery in the Past 20 Years. A Window on Italy
                             Ornella Sizzi, MD • Italy

GYNECOLOGY       
Moderators • Maurice K. Chung, MD / Liselotte Mettler, Prof Dr Med


10:45–11:00am    Major Complications in Vaginal Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
                             R. Hector Anaya, MD • Mexico
11:00–11:15am    LTH a Simplified Technique with the RUMI System and the Koh Cup: 150 Cases
                             Manuel Mota, MD • Mexico

UROLOGY 
Moderators: Elspeth M. McDougall, MD / Harrith M. Hasson, MD

11:15–11:30am    Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: Extraperitoneal vs. Transperitoneal vs. Robotic Assisted. What Is Better?
                             Vipul Patel, MD • USA / Bernardo Rocco, MD • Italy
11:30–11:45am    Technical Aspects Step by Step of Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy
                             Giuseppe Morgia, MD • Italy
11:45–12:00pm    Laparoscopic Radical Cystectomy with Ileal Conduit Diversion. Can It Be Already Considered a New Standard of Care?
                             Antonio Celia, MD • Italy / Guglielimo Breda, MD • Italy
12:00–12:15pm    Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy: What’s the Real Time of Warm Ischemia?
                             Luigi Schips, MD • Italy / Luca Cindolo, MD • Italy

HEPATOBILIARY
Moderators • William E. Kelley, Jr., MD / John E. Morrison, Jr., MD


12:15-12:30pm    Factors Influencing Successful Completion of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
                             Ashfaq Chandio, MD • Ireland
12:30-12:45pm    Minimally Invasive Surgery for Hepatic Malignancies (Resection, Ablation): Techniques, Short and Long-Term Outcome
                             Baki Topal, Prof Dr Med • Belgium
12:45-1:00pm     Clinical Dilemma: How to Deal with Rare Congenital Gall Bladder Anomalies
                            Ashfaq Chandio, MD • Ireland

2:00-3:00pm       Tour of the Florida Hospital Celebration Health

6:30–9:00pm       SLS SOCIAL EVENT WITH FACULTY

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2009
7:00–12:00pm    Conference Registration Open
7:00–7:30am      CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

MULTIDISCIPLINARY
Moderators • Michael S. Kavic, MD / Charles H. Koh, MD


7:30-7:45am    The Use of the CUSUM Model for Critically Evaluating the Learning Curve
                         Gerald Fried, MD • Canada
7:45-8:00am    Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Routine Emergency Basis
                         Evangelos Misiakos, MD • Greece
8:00-8:15am    N.O.T.E.S. Procedures
                         Philippe Morel, MD • Switzerland
8:15-8:30am    Laser Tissue Soldering- Animal Studies of a New Device
                         Doron Kopelman, MD • Israel

CANCER
Moderators • John E. Morrison, Jr., MD / Farr Nezhat, MD


8:30-8:45am    Laparoscopic Procedures for Colorectal Cancer
                         Lucas Sakra, MD, PhD • Czech Republic
8:45-9:00am    The Challenges Encountered to Initiate a Gynaecological Oncology Unit and Developing Minimal Invasive Surgery in Kuwait
                         Eiman Tawheed, Prof Dr Med • Kuwait
9:00-9:15am    Oncological and Functional Results of Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy
                         Mario Falsaperla, MD • Italy
9:15-9:30am    Cultural Presentation
                         TBD
9:30-9:45am    BREAK

GENERAL SURGERY
Moderators • Raymond J. Lanzafame, MD, MBA / Gustavo Stringel, MD


9:45-10:00am      Laparoscopic Band for Morbid Obesity
                             Maher Hussein, MD • Lebanon
10:00-10:15am    Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair: Is It Preferable to the Open Repair?
                             Evangelos Misiakos, MD • Greece
10:15-10:30am    Cultural Presentation: The Birth and Rise of Endourology in Cukurova University since 1973: The Historical Cornerstones
                             I. Atilla Aridogan, MD • Turkey

GYNECOLOGY
Moderators • Charles H. Koh, MD / Liselotte Mettler, Prof Dr Med


10:30-10:45am    Laparoscopic Use of a Novel Matrix Hemostatic Sealant (FloSeal) for Ovarian Cyst and Myomectomy
                             Roberto Angioli, MD • Italy
10:45-11:00am    The Evolving Role of Laparoscopic Surgery in Gynecology in Greece
                             Georgios Tsoulfas, MD • Greece
11:00-11:15am    Surgical Approaches to Rectovaginal Septum Endometriosis
                             Alfonso Rosseti, MD • Italy

UROLOGY
Moderators • Carl J. Levinson, MD / Elspeth M. McDougall, MD


11:15-11:30am    Complications in Laparoscopic Urology: Prevention and Management
                             Leonardo Costatino, MD • Italy
11:30-11:45am    Technical Aspects of Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy
                             Roberto Sanseverino, MD • Italy
11:45-12:00pm    Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy: Retroperitoneal vs. Transperitoneal Approach
                             Andrea Polara, MD • Italy / Francesco Curto, MD • Italy
12:00-12:15pm    Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty: Pro and Con of Extraperitoneal and Transperitoneal Approach. Is It the New Standard of Care?
                             Richard Gaston, MD • France

GASTROINTESTINAL
Moderators • William E. Kelley, Jr., MD / John E. Morrison, MD


12:15-12:30pm    Surgical Treatment of Paraesophageal Hernia: Evidence for the Minimally Invasive Approach
                             Gerald Fried, MD • Canada
12:30-12:45pm    Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Part I- Resection, Part II- Reconstruction
                             Maher Hussein, MD • Lebanon
12:45-1:00pm      Compression Gastrointestinal Anasthomosis- The Revival of an Old Idea and Novel Compression Technologies
                             Doron Kopelman, MD • Israel

OPEN EVENING

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2009
7:00–12:00pm    Conference Registration Open
7:00–7:30am      CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

MULTIDISCIPLINARY
Moderators • Maurice K. Chung, MD / Gustavo Stringel, MD


7:30-7:45am    Training & Assessment in Minimal Access Surgery for the New Generation
                         Sudip Sarker, MD, PhD • United Kingdom
7:45-8:00am    Robot-Assisted Vascular Surgery
                         Petr Stadler, MD, PhD • Czech Republic
8:00-8:15am    The Future of Endoscopic Surgery- Back to the Fingertips
                         Michael Stark, Prof Dr Med • Germany
8:15-8:30am    The Role of Laparoscopy in Abdominal Emergency
                         Ali Uzunkoy, Prof Dr Med • Turkey

GENERAL SURGERY
Moderators • William E. Kelley, Jr., MD / John E. Morrison, Jr., MD


8:30-8:45am    Laparoscopic Hernia Repair
                         Lukas Sakra, MD, PhD • Czech Republic
8:45-9:00am    Robotic Total Gastric Bypass Using the Da Vinci
                         Philippe Morel, Prof Dr Med • Switzerland
9:00-9:15am    MR Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS) for the Ablation of Liver, Prostate and Bone Lesions: State-of-the-Art
                         Doron Kopelman, MD • Israel
9:15-9:30am    Cultural Presentation: Culture and Leisure in Greece
                         Evangelos Misiakos, MD • Greece
9:30–9:45am    BREAK

GYNECOLOGY
Moderators • Maurice K. Chung, MD / Harrith M. Hasson, MD


9:45-10:00am      Hysteroscopic the Evolution from the Beginning Until Present
                             Rafael Valle, MD • Mexico
10:00-10:15am    Indications and Conditions for Laparoscopic Surgery in Severe Endometriosis
                             Johannes van Beek, MD, PhD • Netherlands
10:15-10:30am    Cultural Presentation: Gobeklitepe (Sanliurfa) Known as First Settlement in the World
                             Ali Uzunkoy, Prof Dr Med • Turkey

UROLOGY
Moderators • Charles H. Koh, MD / Elspeth M. McDougall, MD


10:30-10:45am    Retroperitoneal Soft Tissue Neoplasms Laparoscopic Resection
                             Giorgio Martina, MD • Italy
10:45-11:00am    Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy: Lessons We Have Learned
                             Georgios Tsoulfas, MD • Greece
11:00-11:15am    Cultural Presentation
                             TBD

HEPATOBILIARY
Moderators • Raymond J. Lanzafame, MD, MBA / Gustavo Stringel, MD


11:15-11:30am    Agenesis of Gallbladder
                             Ashfaq Chandio, MD • Ireland
11:30-11:45am    Common Bile Duct Stones: Laparoscopy vs. Endoscopy
                             Baki Topal, Prof Dr Med • Belgium
11:45-12:00pm    Anomalous Insertion of Rt Hepatic Duct into Cystic Duct
                             Ashfaq Chandio, MD • Ireland

GASTROINTESTINAL
Moderators • Michael S. Kavic, MD / Lisolette Mettler, Prof Dr Med


12:00-12:15pm    Laparoscopic Cardiomyotomy for Achalasia
                             Maher Hussein, MD • Lebanon
12:15-12:30pm    Severe Acute Pancreatitis. Usefulness of the Multimodal Management: Endoscopy, Laparoscopy, Drain, Surgery
                             Vincenzo Neri, Prof Dr Med • Italy

12:30–12:45pm  DELEGATES MEETING

SLS Social Event

Flame Tree Gardens Dinner
Thursday, February 12, 2009 • Tickets Required
Disney’s Animal Kingdom

This magical evening begins as you are escorted through the Oasis of Disney’s Animal Kingdom to SLS’ private event. A gateway of flowering glades and tumbling waterfalls, the Oasis represents a time when nature flourished without the aid of limitation of mankind. Once through the Oasis, you will encounter the Park’s Centerpiece the Tree of Life.  As our guest you will experience a one-of-a-kind 3-D show, “A Bugs Life,” before being guided to the Flame Tree Gardens. This lavish garden carries out the colorful and beautiful artistry of Discovery Island and is surrounded by the pavilions with cascading waterfalls and Bali carvings. At the final destination you will be able to enjoy a delicious buffet, a beverage to cool the thirst and more wonderful entertainment.

Tickets (required for this event)—$125 per person. Memories—”priceless.”
This event is approximately two hours and includes buffet dinner, entertainment, music, and two drink tickets. Tickets can be purchased using the online registration form.

TRAVEL
SLS consults with The Store for Travel for the lowest fares possible. For negotiated airline discount rates, contact Steve at +1-305-251-6331 or via e-mail at so@sft.webmail.com. Please be sure to mention you are attending the SLS Summit in Orlando, Florida.

DESTINATION
Orlando is the epicenter of fun and excitement, with more than 95 attractions that keep tourists coming back for more. Take the mix of legendary theme parks, spectacular museums, 168 golf courses, world-class entertainment, blockbuster rides and attractions, and you’ve got unlimited choices for everyone to enjoy. No matter where you’re coming from, Orlando is the perfect choice for domestic or international travel.

Nowhere else in the world will you find seven incredible theme parks, three water parks, and more than 80 other attractions offering astronauts to zoos and everything in between. And we mean everything! You would need to stay for 67 days just to experience all of Orlando’s attractions! Don’t forget about world-class shopping and bargains galore at nine local malls and four outlet centers. Of course, with all of that activity, you’re bound to work up an appetite, and Orlando’s dinner theaters and other fantastic family friendly restaurants are serving up hot, hearty meals.

For complimentary transportation to Disney’s Contemporary Resort®, use Disney's Magical Express Service. Reservations must be made at least 30 days in advance.

In addition to Disney's Magical Express, taxi, shuttle and limousine service to anywhere in the Greater Orlando area, the following services give you even more transportation options. International Drive’s convenient “I-Ride” Trolley (iridetrolley.com) has 78 convenient stops scheduled every 20 minutes, making it easy to reach the Orange County Convention Center, hotels, restaurants and shopping destinations. Downtown Lymmo is a state-of-the-art, three-mile, dedicated-lane bus system in downtown Orlando available free-of-charge. And Lynx, an extensive public transportation system, serves Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. Consider Orlando your home away from home. Whether you’re visiting for the first time, or you vacation here year after year, Orlando is the perfect destination. Visit Orlando’s website at www.orlandoinfo.com.

General Information

SLS Members, Delegates & Organizing Committee:
Register Online at www.SLS.org before December 11, 2008 and save an additional $100 on your conference registration!
Members $595
Non-Members $595
Delegates/Organizing Committee Members $495
Resident/Nurse/Fellow Scholarships are available for qualified Residents-in-Training, Fellows-in-Training, Nurses, and affiliated Medical Personnel.

CREDIT HOURS
Accreditation The Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation SLS designates this educational activity for a maximum of 14 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)‘.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

REASONS TO ATTEND
• Experience a unique summit offering a multispecialty approach to minimally invasive surgery.

• Expand your knowledge of the use of laparoscopic diagnostic and treatment techniques taught by acknowledged leaders in their respective specialties and countries.

• Topics are presented in general sessions providing a multidisciplinary approach to specialty minimally invasive surgical techniques and procedures.

• Understand how different countries have met the challenges of training and practicing minimally invasive surgery. 

• Learn about the cultural differences and similarities between neighboring countries.

TECHNICAL EXHIBITS
Preliminary Exhibit Hours
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • Welcome Reception • 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Thursday, February 12, 2009 • 7:00am – 12:00pm
Friday, February 13, 2009 • 7:00am – 12:00pm

Continental Breakfast and refreshment breaks will take place in the exhibit area.
For more information about exhibiting contact Teri Valls at:
Ph: (305) 665-9959 • Fax: (305) 675-2718
Email: Teri@SLS.org

CONFERENCE REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Full registration fees are refundable if registrant cancels before December 11, 2008.  An administrative fee of $150 will be deducted from fees for cancellations postmarked or received by fax or email on or after December 11, 2008 through January 21, 2009.  All requests for refunds must be made in writing to SLS, attention Flor Tilden (Flor@SLS.org), and received by the appropriate date. Refunds will be processed within 6 to 8 weeks after the summit. No refunds will be made after January 21, 2009.

IMPORTANT DATES / DEADLINES
Online Registration opens: September 22, 2008
Early Online Registration saving ends: December 11, 2008
Disney’s Contemporary Resort® special rates end: January 12, 2009
Online Registration closes: January 21, 2009

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEETING SITE

Disney’s Contemporary Resort®
4600 North World Drive, Orlando, Florida 32830
Telephone: +1-407-824-3869
Fax: +1-407-824-3738

Rising majestically between the shores of Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon, Disney’s Contemporary Resort immerses you in a world of modern art and landmark architecture as sleek monorails silently glide through the center of the stunning atrium lobby.

You’ll enjoy the distinctive style of oversized guest rooms and suites, most with dramatic lakefront or Theme Park views, along with a marina, health club, tennis center and an expansive pool area.

For a truly memorable dining experience, the award-winning California Grill offers breathtaking views of Cinderella Castle from high atop the hotel. And, you’re just a short stroll or monorail ride away from all the sights and sounds of the Magic Kingdom® Park and Epcot®.

ROOM RATES
Special daily rates (in US dollars) for conference attendees are as follows:

Single / Double Occupancy: $225.00 per night

A first night’s deposit, plus applicable taxes, refundable up to five (5) days in advance will be required. Any cancellations within five (5) days prior to arrival and all no-shows will be assessed a cancellation penalty equal to one night’s stay. Check-in time is after 3:00 pm, check-out time is before 11:00 am. At check-in/registration, please advise the hotel if you will be checking out early. A fee will be charged to the guest’s account if the hotel is not advised of your plans in advance.

Make your reservations no later than January 21, 2009. After January 21, 2009, reservations will be confirmed on a space availability basis only. Be sure to mention that you are attending this conference in order to receive the discounted room rate.

For those attending the conference, who require special assistance (accessibility, dietary, etc.), please notify the hotel of special requests upon making your reservations or before January 21, 2009.
Please make your reservations early!

VISA INFORMATION

Official letters of invitation, designed to help overcome administrative difficulties in certain countries, will be sent upon request after registration is complete, and upon receipt of the appropriate registration payment from the delegate/attendee. It must be understood that such letters do not represent a commitment on the part of SLS or the conference to provide any financial assistance. All expenses incurred with relation to the conference are the sole responsibility of the delegate/attendee.

Once online registration is completed, delegates/attendees should contact Conferences@SLS.org to issue the letter.

Please note that it is the sole responsibility of the delegate/attendee to take care of his/her visa requirements. A delegate/attendee who requires an entry visa must allow adequate time for the application procedure. You should consider beginning the visa application process 5 months prior to the conference although this process may take longer in some countries.

If a delegate/attendee visa application is denied by the embassy/consulate, the delegate/attendee may apply to Conferences@SLS.org for a refund of his/her registration fee. Full proof that the visa application was denied must be provided prior to the date listed in the meeting cancellation policy. Refunds will not be considered after that date. See cancellation policy for the conference you are attending.

Additional visa information is available at www.UnitedsStatesVisas.gov.

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