PROGRAM

Preliminary program

MAIN SCIENTIFIC TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

• Imaging diagnostics of colon diseases
• Endoscopic methods for diagnosis and treatment
• Minimally invasive and robotic colon surgery
• Colorectal cancer – modern treatment methods
• Inflammatory bowel diseases – ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
• Diverticulosis and diverticulitis
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Rare colon diseases
• Clinical case presentations
• Parastomal hernias
• Postoperative ventral hernias

REGISTRATION

REGISTRATION FEES

The listed registration fees are exclusive of VAT.
*Medical students, resident doctors and doctoral candidates are to verify their status with an official document. In the absence of such, the registration fee is to be paid in full.

The registration fee includes:

• Access to all scientific sessions
• Access to the partner exhibition
• Coffee breaks
• Delegate kit
• Electronic participation certificate

Cancellation is possible upon written request to the Conference Secretariat at: marketing@medicongroup.eu
The refund policy is as follows:

• 80% refund for cancellations made before December 1, 2025

• 60% refund for cancellations made between December 1, 2025, and February 25, 2026

• No refund for cancellations made after February 25, 2026

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

The accommodation rates are per room and include: one overnight stay, breakfast, and city tax. The listed prices are final, in accordance with Article 86, paragraph 1 of the VAT Act Implementing Regulations.

Parking – BGN 20 / EUR 10 per day for hotel guests (payable directly at the hotel reception).

Cancellations are possible until February 25, 2026.

REGISTRATION

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

The Call for Abstracts for the International Conference on Coloproctology & Abdominal Wall Surgery 2026 is now open! All accepted abstracts will be considered for oral or poster presentations during the congress. Presenting authors must be available to present in-person in Sofia.

• Submission Deadline
  Janyary 15, 2026 | 23:59 Eastern European Time (EET)
  Late submissions will not be reviewed.

SUBMIT ABSTRACT

• Who Can Submit?

  We welcome abstract submissions from:

  • Colorectal, abdominal wall and general surgeons
  • Gastroenterologists
  • Medical oncologists
  • Specialists in imaging diagnostics
  • All other specialists interested in the topic of the conference
  • Residents and fellows
  • Medical students
  • Allied health professionals
  • Researchers in surgical science and education

  Note: Submissions from authors affiliated with ineligible companies (as defined by ACCME or relevant national regulatory body) will not be accepted. There is no fee to submit an abstract.

  You may submit multiple abstracts, but only up to 2 abstracts may be presented by the same author.

   

  Abstract Topics

  Submissions may address any area relevant to coloproctology or abdominal wall surgery, including but not limited to:

  • Colon cancer
  • Inflammatory bowel diseases
  • Diverticulosis
  • Colorectal surgery
  • Minimally invasive and robotic surgery
  • Endoscopy
  • Ventral and incisional hernia
  • Parastomial hernia
  • Abdominal wall reconstruction
  • Surgical anatomy and innovations
  • Surgical education and simulation
  • Stoma care and management
  • Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)
  • Complication management and quality improvement
  • Case reports with educational value

  If your topic does not fit in any of the above, please choose “Other” during submission.

   

  Abstract Format

  • Language: English
  • Word limit: Maximum 300 words
  • Files format: Word Document (.doc, ,docx), pdf , .ppt, .mp4
  • No tables, figures, or references in the abstract text
  • Only original work not yet published or accepted elsewhere will be considered

   

  a) Original Clinical Research
  Description: Studies involving human participants assessing interventions, diagnostics, surgical techniques, or outcomes.

  Required Structure:

  • Background: Context and rationale for the study
  • Objectives: Clear research question or hypothesis
  • Methods: Study design (e.g., RCT, cohort), population, interventions, outcomes
  • Results: Key data with statistical significance (if applicable)
  • Conclusion: Clinical relevance and interpretation

  Must clearly state ethics approval and/or patient consent if applicable.

   

  b) Original Preclinical or Translational Research
  Description: Laboratory-based research, animal studies, or experimental models relevant to coloproctology or abdominal wall surgery.

  Required Structure:

  • Background
  • Objectives
  • Methods: Experimental model, sample size, techniques used
  • Results: Key findings with quantitative/qualitative metrics
  • Conclusion: Translational potential or implications Ethical approval from institutional committees must be

   

  c) Case Report / Case Series
  Description: Single or multiple unique, rare, or educationally valuable patient cases.

  Required Structure:

  • Introduction: Importance or rarity of the case(s)
  • Case Presentation: Patient history, diagnostic workup, treatment, outcome
  • Discussion: Relevance, differentials, implications for practice
  • Conclusion: Take-home message

  Patient consent for publication must be confirmed for all identifiable cases.

   

  d) Cohort Studies / Observational Analyses
  Description: Retrospective or prospective studies describing patient outcomes without randomization.

  Required Structure:

  • Background
  • Objective
  • Methods: Study type, inclusion/exclusion criteria, follow-up duration, statistical methods
  • Results: Cohort demographics and outcome measures
  • Conclusion: Key findings and potential biases/limitations

   

  e) Systematic Review / Meta-analysis
  Description: Structured review of literature with or without statistical synthesis.

  Required Structure:

  • Background
  • Objective
  • Methods: Database search, inclusion criteria, quality assessment tools, analysis methods
  • Results: Number of included studies, key outcome data, pooled results (if applicable)
  • Conclusion: Summary findings and implications

  Must comply with PRISMA guidelines and state whether PROSPERO registration was performed.

   

  f) Narrative Review
  Description: Expert overview of a specific topic in coloproctology or abdominal wall surgery.

  Required Structure:

  • Background/Introduction
  • Scope and Objective
  • Main Body: Key areas discussed with references to recent evidence
  • Conclusion: Summary and expert insights

  Must be original and balanced submissions solely promoting a technique or product will be declined.

   

  g) Surgical Technique / Video Abstracts
  Description: Step-by-step presentation of innovative surgical techniques, preferably with a QR code linking to a video or link to private submission platform.

  Required Structure:

  • Background: Why is the technique innovative or valuable
  • Technique Description: Key steps, instruments, tips, pitfalls
  • Clinical Context: Patient selection, outcomes, complications
  • Conclusion: Utility and potential applications

  Videos should be anonymized and ideally narrated in English (max 5 min). Upload instructions will follow acceptance.

   

  h) Simulation / Surgical Education Research
  Description: Studies evaluating simulation tools, curricula, assessment methods, or education outcomes.

  Required Structure:

  • Background
  • Objective
  • Methods: Setting, learners, simulation model/tool, assessment metrics
  • Results: Learning outcomes, feedback, statistical data
  • Conclusion: Educational value and transferability

   

  Submission Deadline

  January 15, 2026 | 23:59 Eastern European Time (EET)

  Late submissions will not be reviewed.

   

  Presentation Formats

  Accepted abstracts will be selected for one of the following:

  • Oral Presentation (10-minute talk with discussion)
  • Poster Presentation (onsite printed display with author present during Poster Walk session)

  Final presentation type is determined by the Scientific Committee.

   

  Awards & Recognition

  Outstanding abstracts will be recognized in the following categories:

  • Best Oral Presentation
  • Poster of Distinction
  • Top Medical Student Submission

  Recipients will be awarded certificates and complimentary registration for the 2027 edition of the congress.

  No separate application is required for award eligibility.

   

  Publication & Full Paper Submission

  All accepted abstracts will be published in the official conference abstract book (electronic or printed).

  Presenters of completed research selected for presentation will be invited to submit a full manuscript for consideration in a partner journal or post-congress proceedings. Further details will be announced.

   

  Conflict of Interest & Disclosures

   All authors must state any conflict-of-interest during the submission process.

  Abstracts with unresolved conflicts or affiliations with ineligible companies may be rejected.

   

  Notification of Acceptance

  Submitters will be notified of acceptance decisions by February 15, 2026 via email. Please ensure the submitting author’s email address is correct and actively monitored.

   

  SUBMIT ABSTRACT