President letter

AX meetings were initiated by surgeons interested in peritoneal access and post operative adhesions. In an effort to understand and to prevent adhesion formation, general surgeons, gynaecologists and scientists have had to study peritoneal pathophysiology, and more particulary peritoneal healing. Learning from nephrologists, immunologists and other scientists working on mesothelium physiology and mesothelial diseases, we have been brought to realize that the peritoneum is not simply a container for the bowel loops but a fascinating organ.

The PAX Society is a peritoneal society.

Peritoneal physiology, postoperative cancer dissemination, peritonitis, intra and postoperative peritoneal immunology, adhesion formation and tolerance of meshes used by general surgeons and urogynaecologists are all discussed in PAX meetings. Similar problems are encountered by thoracic and cardiac surgeons who also operate in a mesothelial cavity…

During surgery, the peritoneum is alive. The surgeon and his instruments interact with this organ and a disease.

With in the advent of laparoscopic surgery, improved knowledge of intra and postoperative peritoneal pathophysiology became more important. Indeed in contrast to laparotomy which takes place in an open space which it is difficult to modify, laparoscopic surgery is performed in a closed environment, the pneumoperitoneum, whose parameters, such as pressure, composition humidity and temperature of the gas, may be changed and adpated to influence the intra and postoperative pathophysiology. Using nebulizers, the pneumoperitoneum may also become a new way to administer intraoperative treatments.

The developpement of endoscopic surgery opened a new era, and there is currently much research. We are convinced that the 2008 PAX meeting will be one of the best opportunities for all those researchers interested in the improvement of surgical practice to meet and share their experiences.

We are looking forward this exciting meeting and to welcoming you in Auvergne, one of the « birthplaces » of endoscopic surgery in gynaecology.