Tropical surgery — sliced in paradise

Surgeons and medical doctors are debating how their research and practice can be used to improve both the provision of surgery and the health of the people in the tropics.

James Cook University, the Australasian College of Tropical Medicine and the International College of Surgeons are jointly hosting Tropical Surgery – The Eclipse Meeting (12-13 November 2012) in Cairns.

"This meeting is important for tropical health,” said Professor Ian Wronski, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Health and Molecular Science at James Cook University.

“The surgical side of tropical health is critical, but not talked about enough. It has been disinherited as a part of the tropical health disciplines, Professor Wronski said.

“The growth of economy in tropical societies in Asia-Pacific and in Africa are resulting in new challenges and, importantly, the overlap of tropical health disciplines and tropical surgery in resource-poor settings.”

Prof Wronski will open the conference on Monday 12 November.

Associate Professor Alan de Costa, James Cook University, said there were challenges of contemporary surgical practice in tropical and resource-poor environments in tropical regions that have a global impact.

“Surgeons will discuss infections that are important in tropical climates like Mycobacterium ulcerans (Daintree Ulcer), Melioidosis and The Human Immunodeficiency virus,” he said.

“Our local surgeons have a vast array of experience and will be covering topics ranging from the management of animal bites to the surgical implications of obesity in the developing world.”

Richard Turner, Professor of Surgery at the University of Tasmania School of Medicine, who previously spent 12 years working in Cairns, will present Tropical Oncology: Doing as much with less.

Issued November 10, 2012

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