FSIE was pleased to hold the first live POEM course since the pandemic. We hosted 10 attending level participants and 4 fellows in training at the Providence Portland Surgical Simulation Lab. As usual, it was a nice mix of gastroenterologists, thoracic surgeons and general surgeons. The course offered a detailed hands-on experience including 3 explant labs with one on one proctoring and the latest technology. The participants were able to observe 3 live POEM operations with direct access to the surgeon in real time through the moderator. And of course we had excellent food including a fun night at Steeplejack Brewing Company. Thanks to the FSIE Innovations team for an outstanding event!

SAGES 2022 was held in Denver Colorado this past week and it was a huge success! ALL current fellows, Drs Maggie Hodges, Teresa Gross and Andreas Hennig, had outstanding podium presentations. The rest of the team was also notable throughout the meeting-it seemed everywhere we looked, another member was on the stage sharing wisdom. Notably, Innovations Team alumni Emily Speer, Ezra Teitelbaum and Amber Shada were each recognized with SAGES Excellence Coins! This is a huge honor given for outstanding contributions to the meeting. CONGRATULATIONS! But of course, it wasn't all work and no play. Thank you to Lisa Leeth for organizing the annual Swanstrom Fellowship Reunion at Union Station Thursday night- a great evening catching up and enjoying delicious food in a cool venue. And lastly, this years Sing-off was exceptional. After 2 long years without a "proper" party- the masks came off the fully vaccinated crowd at Grizzly Rose. Dr Reavis rode the mechanical bull among other shenanigans! FSIE Innovators, past and present, have assumed the moniker "Portland Endofreaks" since their breakout performance on the 2013 sing off stage. This year's "Scope all Holes" set to Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" was true to form (aka hilariously goofy) with Ashwin Kurian, Val Halpin and Emily Speer dominating the mic.  Not sure who had more fun- the SAGES crowd or the band (Denver's Radio Band) who appreciated the crowd! Congratulations to the SAGES Program Committee on a job well done! 

FSIE President and Founder Dr Lee Swanstrom (third from left)and his surgical buddies (L-R) Dr John Hunter, Dr Jeff Peters and Dr Nat Soper) were honored at the 37th Annual esophageal course, “Medical and Surgical Aspects of Esophageal and Foregut Disorders: Pathophysiology and Treatment” in Hawaii for their outstanding contributions to surgery. In addition to giving fantastic lectures to the participants, they also generously mentored young surgeons on the beach!

After a couple bumpy years we are happy to announce FSIE will be back in-person for this years annual SAGES meeting. SAGES has done a great job keeping the conference going in 2020 and 2021 but 2022 holds great promise not seen since the good old days of 2019! The meeting will be held March 16-19, 2022 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO. Shout out to FSIE Innovations Team Alumnus Kelly Haisley, MD for being part of the program committee! Here's a sneak peek at what we have going on...

Video Accepted: HYBRID APPROACH TO DUELING ESOPHAGEAL DISORDERS
Presenter: Andreas Hennig, DO, MBA
Session Name: Foregut Session
Session Date: Friday, March 18, 2022
Session Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
 
Abstract Accepted: Abnormal response after multiple rapid swallow provocation is not predictive of early post-operative dysphagia following fundoplication
Presenter: Maggie M Hodges, MD, MPH
Session Name: Foregut Session
Session Date: Friday, March 18, 2022
Session Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
 
Video Accepted: LINX Rescue: a novel approach
Presenter: Teresa S Gross, MD
Session Name: Foregut Video Session
Session Date: Thursday, March 17, 2022
Session Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Talk Title: Thriving not Surviving
Presenter: Rodrigo Pedraza, MD
Session Date: Wednesday March 16th
Session Time: 3:00-5:00 pm
 
Moderator: Kevin M Reavis, MD
Session Name: Foregut Quickshot SS14
Session Date: Thursday, March 17, 2022
Session Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
 
Talk Title: Evaluation of Gastroparesis: Available Technologies and Clinical Application
Presenter: Christy M Dunst, MD
Session Name: All Things Foregut Physiology
Session Date: Thursday, March 17, 2022
Session Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

FSIE/Swanstrom Fellow Party
Thursday Night
Location TBD
 
Talk Title: Why Start a Foregut Fellowship
Presenter: Christy M Dunst, MD
Session Name: Defining Foregut Surgery (SAGES/SSAT/ASMBS/AFS)
Session Date: Saturday, March 19, 2022
Session Time: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Wow- are we excited to say "See you at SAGES!"

FSIE will be forever bonded with our 2020-2021 Foregut Surgery Fellows Melissa DeSouza and Timothy Mansour. . They are the first to officially get that title and of course we all muddled through a strange year together. Kuddos to you both for your huge accomplishments- writing book chapters, presenting work, virtual meetings and PNW foregut journal club and somehow, an incredible case log! Great job! 

FSIE Intern Sarah McKay was awarded a SAGES podium presentation for her work on long term outcomes after POEM. Sarah was an FSIE Summer intern in 2019 and stayed on with the research team to complete her ambitious project which is awaiting publication after a successful virtual presentation at this years annual meeting. Quite a feather in the cap of an already accomplished young woman! Sarah recently graduated magna cum laude from Oregon State University with a BS in Public Health. She currently works as a medical scribe at The Oregon Clinic as she prepares for medical school. Go Sarah!

​Clinical research fellows have been an integral part of FSIE since our founding.  Typically, these fellows are sponsored by Providence Portland Medical Center, Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital, the Oregon Clinic or our industry partners. The 2019-2020 academic year blessed us with the great fortune of having 4 of our most outstanding fellows in the history of the program. These four surgeons remained the heart of FSIE activities demonstrating enthusiasm and dedication with ease and flexibility despite the unexpected events of 2020. They quickly adapted to weekly Zoom research meetings, journal clubs and clinical case conference. They masked up and kept the gears turning at the hospital. Despite these challenges, this group finished multiple manuscripts for publication, finished their programs and one (Dr Mueller) even completed her PhD! We are sad to see them go but excited to watch their careers blossom as they move on to their next adventure. They will always have a special place in our hearts as the Class of 2020!
 
Congratulations!
Dr. Brett Parker- Advanced GI-Foregut Surgical Fellow
Dr. Reid Fletcher-Advanced GI-Foregut Surgical Fellow
Dr. Ahmed Sharata- NOTES Clinical Research Fellow
Dr. Dolores Mueller- Foregut Research Fellow

The gang got together this weekend for a virtual reunion! Although FSIE is sad to have had to cancel the summer internship this year, last year's interns remind us what a great program it is! Looking forward to the class of 2021! Thanks team! 

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, FSIE will be cancelling all summer internships and programs including the Undergraduate and High School Internships. Hopefully there will be a POEM course in 2020 but will wait and see how the next few months go. Stay safe out there and virtually hug your health care professionals in your community. #stayhomeforus

​In 1994, IRCAD opened on the grounds of the University Hospital of Strasbourg, France. Since its creation, IRCAD has gained world renowned fame as a leading research and education institute. FSIE is grateful for our relationship with this prestigious institution. Each year founder and chief Prof. Jacques Marescaux generously donates two surgeon subscriptions for our annual silent auction at the FSIE Summer Celebration Fundraiser. This huge value is always a highly popular item! Last year’s lucky winners, former Foregut Fellows Dr Filippo Filicori and Dr Ahmed Zihni recently cashed in their IRCAD experience where they participated in hands-on courses (and a little karaoke we hear) and were hosted by FSIE President Dr Lee Swanstrom. Thank you IRCAD!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PRESENTERS
See tentative SAGES schedule below. Annual Swanstrom Fellow Party TBD
APRIL 1, 2020
 
Masters Foregut: Paraesophageal Hernia
Talk Title: Pre-recorded `Live` Surgery: Nissen Fundoplication
Presenter Christy Dunst
04/01/2020, 9:00:00 AM - 12:00:00 PM Room: Exhibit Hall B
 
Masters Foregut: Paraesophageal Hernia
Talk Title: Relaxing Incisions - How I Do It
Speaker Steve DeMeester
04/01/2020, 9:00:00 AM - 12:00:00 PM Room: Exhibit Hall B

SAGES AWARD Luncheon
Dr Brett Parker to receive the IRCAD Visiting Fellowship Award
12:00pm – 1:30pm
Huntington Convention Center, Cleveland OH
 
SS17 Foregut Endoscopy
Moderator Lee Swanstrom
4/1/202 14:30-15:30
 
Abstract Accepted: Can We Identify Patients Appropriate for Same Day Discharge After Laparoscopic Fundoplication?
Presenter: Brett C Parker, MD
Program Number: Program number will be assigned after your acceptance.
Session Name: Poster Session (Non CME)
Session Date: Wednesday, April 01, 2020 - Saturday, April 04, 2020
Session Time: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
 
April 2, 2020
 
Oh No It Slipped Again: Tips and Tricks to Managing Primary and Recurrent Hiatal Hernias
Talk Title: Chair
Session Chair Christy Dunst
04/02/2020, 7:30:00 AM - 9:00:00 AM Room: Grand Ballroom A
 
Oh No It Slipped Again: Tips and Tricks to Managing Primary and Recurrent Hiatal Hernias
Talk Title: Do It Right the First Time: Reducing Axial and Radial Tension
Speaker Steve DeMeester
04/02/2020, 7:30:00 AM - 9:00:00 AM Room: Grand Ballroom A
 
Esophageal Cancer: Updates in MIS and Endoluminal Management
Talk Title: Management of Stage T1b Esophageal Cancer: Current Role for Endoscopic Eradication Therapy vs Surgical Resection
Speaker Steve DeMeester
04/02/2020, 4:00:00 PM - 5:30:00 PM Room: Exhibit Hall B
 
Evolving Techniques in Revisional Bariatric Surgery
Title: The Endoscopic Weight Loss Procedure Failed - Can I Do a Definitive Surgical Procedure?
Speaker Kevin Reavis
04/02/2020 7:30-9:00 am
 
Video Accepted: Technique for Jejunojejunostomy
Presenter: Derek Dirks, MD
Program Number: Program number will be assigned after your acceptance.
Session Name: Video Loop Day 2
Session Date: Thursday, April 02, 2020
Session Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
 
April 3, 2020
 
"Mesh Should be Used Routinely During PEH Repair." This would be part of The Great Foregut Debate on 4/3 from 1:30 PM - 4 PM.
Great Foregut Debate
Talk Title: Management of Stage T1b Esophageal Cancer: Current Role for Endoscopic Eradication Therapy vs Surgical Resection
Speaker Steve DeMeester
04/02/2020, 4:00:00 PM - 5:30:00 PM Room: Exhibit Hall B

Video Accepted: Paraesophageal Hernia Repair with Truncal Vagotomy and Hill Gastroplasty Status Post Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass
Presenter: Derek Dirks, MD
Program Number: Program number will be assigned after your acceptance.
Session Name: Exhibit Hall Theater Session IV
Session Date: Friday, April 03, 2020
Session Time: 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
 
Video Accepted: It’s Huuuge! Trans-gastric Resection of Giant GIST
Presenter: Brett C Parker, MD
Program Number: Program number will be assigned after your acceptance.
Session Name: Masterpiece Theater
Session Date: Friday, April 03, 2020
Session Time: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
 
Video Accepted: Large Paraesophageal Hernia and Gastric Bypass
Presenter: Derek Dirks, MD
Program Number: Program number will be assigned after your acceptance.
Session Name: Video Loop Day 3
Session Date: Friday, April 03, 2020
Session Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Video Accepted: Endoscopic Submucosal Resection of a Symptomatic Esophageal Leiomyoma in No Man’s Land
Presenter: Reid Fletcher, MD
Program Number: Program number will be assigned after your acceptance.
Session Name: Exhibit Hall Theater Session III
Session Date: Friday, April 03, 2020
Session Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
 
April 4, 2020
 
Abstract Accepted: POEM PERSISTS! A SIX YEAR OUTCOME STUDY OF 100 PATIENTS
Presenter: Sarah C McKay, BS
Program Number: Program number will be assigned after your acceptance.
Session Name: Best Papers II
Session Date: Saturday, April 04, 2020
Session Time: 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Abstract Accepted: Safety and Efficacy of LINX Dilation for Dysphagia
Presenter: Reid Fletcher, MD
Program Number: Program number will be assigned after your acceptance.
Session Name: Foregut Complications
Session Date: Saturday, April 04, 2020
Session Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM