Davide Lomanto1, Jin Ye Yeo2
1National University Health System, Minimally Invasive Surgical Center, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore; 2ALES Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company
Correspondence to: Jin Ye Yeo. ALES Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company. Email: ales@amegroups.com
This interview can be cited as: Lomanto D, Yeo JY. Meeting the Editorial Board Member of ALES: Prof. Davide Lomanto. Ann Laparosc Endosc Surg. 2024. Available from: https://ales.amegroups.org/post/view/meeting-the-editorial-board-member-of-ales-prof-davide-lomanto.
Expert introduction
Prof. Davide Lomanto (Figure 1) graduated with distinction (Magna cum Laude) in Medicine & Surgery in 1983 at the University of Rome "La Sapienza", Italy. He completed his training in General Surgery in 1992 and his PhD in Gastrointestinal Surgery in 1990 at the University of Rome "La Sapienza", Italy. He currently has multiple appointments, such as Professor of Surgery at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore; Director of the Minimally Invasive Surgical Centre (MISC), Head of General Surgery, director of the NUH Hernia Centre at the National University Hospital (NUH) and Director of the Tan Sri Khoo Teck Puat Advanced Surgery Training Centre (ASTC) at the National University of Singapore. He has a special interest in Minimally Invasive Surgery, laparoscopic digestive surgery including Robotic and Obesity Surgery and Abdominal Wall Hernia Repair. He is a fellow of many international surgical societies and has been invited to speak and chair in many International Conferences. He has more than 150 publications in international peer-reviewed surgical journals and more than 25 Chapters in surgical books. He is Editor of 5 Surgical Books. He has been awarded the Honorary Membership of the Surgical and Endolaparoscopic Societies of Japan, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Europe, Nepal and College of Surgeons of Edinburg. He serves as Associate Editor of the Hernia Journal and many others.
He is currently Secretary General and Past-President of the Endoscopic & Laparoscopic Surgeons of Asia (ELSA), President of the International Federation of the Surgical Endoscopic Societies (IFSES), Advisory President Asia-Pacific Hernia Society (APHS) and is Past President Asia-Pacific Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Society (APMBSS).
Prof. Davide Lomanto attained knighthood on 26 December 2009. He was honored by the Italian Government for his contribution towards his leading role among the Italian community in Singapore and the Asia Pacific. He was awarded specifically for his leadership in clinical service, research and academic recognition as an expert in the field of surgery, minimally invasive surgery and robotic surgery. The prestigious award - Ordine della Stella della Solidarietà Italiana, is an honor conferred upon people whose work has contributed to the strengthening of economic, cultural and humanitarian relations between Italy and other countries.
Figure 1 Prof. Davide Lomanto
Interview
ALES: What drove you into the field of endolaparoscopic surgery?
Prof. Lomanto: I was attracted to endolaparoscopic surgery because at the beginning of my general surgery residency program between 1990-1991, was the early phase of this new technique and there was an ongoing enthusiasm among the surgical community towards this new revolutionary approach. I was also lucky to work at a center where my mentor was one of the pioneers in this area, and since the beginning I experienced the benefit that this technique brought to patients.
ALES: As one of the pioneers in minimally invasive and endolaparoscopic surgery, could you provide an overview of the new technologies and robotics used in minimally invasive and endolaparoscopic surgery? What are your thoughts on how the field has evolved?
Prof. Lomanto: Endolaparoscopic surgery, since the beginning, has always been technology-based because we utilize digital technology like camera system, advance energy, and other technology. Today for example, we use a camera with 4K resolution, which might become 8K in the future. We also utilize 3D cameras system to improve vision and dexterity. It remains a continuous evolution and as technology evolves, surgery follows. At the start, my team was one of the first in Asia to do robotic surgery in 2000 when I joined the National University Hospital of Singapore. We have witnessed a great evolution since then. Robotics have become increasingly sophisticated, and there are also more robotic devices in the market which makes robotic procedures more affordable and accessible for more patients. This technology will continue to be used in the future, and robotics is the next technology tool to further improve endolaparoscopic surgery. In addition, other technology like 5G technology, digital imaging, coupled with artificial intelligence and machine learning, will contribute to the future evolution of endolaparoscopic surgery and ultimately, we aim to provide better outcomes for patients.
ALES: How have these advancements impacted your practice in laparoscopic surgery? Could you share some examples or cases where these advancements have made a significant difference?
Prof. Lomanto: Advancements these days come at a very fast pace like every 2-3 years, compared to the past when these changes would come every 5 years or so. We have new energy that are able to seal up to 7mm of wound size, which we previously had to do with ligation, suture, or even clipping. Another example is the intelligent stapler, which can measure the thickness of the tissue and close the stapler according to the thickness of the tissue instead of changing the cartridge. Surgery has evolved to be more accurate and precise and we also can do more advanced procedures because of these new technologies. With the advancement of artificial intelligence, this may also lead to machine automation of this process in the future.
ALES: Are there specific areas or aspects of laparoscopic surgery research that you believe have been overlooked or received insufficient attention?
Prof. Lomanto: Endoluminal and endolaparoscopic surgery have both received insufficient attention in terms of research, but today many companies are investing and developing this new platform. If we have a device that allows us to do more endoluminal procedures, we can resolve many procedures that today are performed using open or laparoscopic surgery. Future research should focus on endoluminal surgery, including endorobotic surgery, which can complement the improvement in diagnostics that detect early cancer and can perhaps execute more advanced procedures.
ALES: In addition to practicing surgery, you are also actively involved in surgical education in Singapore and across Asia. What values do you hope to impart and what goals do you hope to achieve through your educational endeavors?
Prof. Lomanto: I think it is very important to teach and inspire our future doctors to be curious, to always investigate, and always try to explore new areas but always with safety and with caution.
ALES: What are some challenges you faced in surgical education? What are some strategies you employed to overcome them?
Prof. Lomanto: One challenge that I faced is the inequality in terms of surgical education across different countries in Asia. My aim and desire are to always strive to offer the same opportunities across Asia by supporting and helping surgeons to travel out of their countries to learn new minimally invasive procedures that can offer to their patients once they go back to the own country.
ALES: You established the ELSA Outreach Programme to develop lead educators. What traits do you think a lead educator should possess?
Prof. Lomanto: I think lead educators should be able to adapt to different situations and difficult healthcare systems. For example, when we travel to places such as Nepal or Vietnam to treat patients, even though patients have the same disease, doctors have to use different approaches and opportunities available as their healthcare systems are heavily influenced by their socioeconomics. The programme aims to help more surgeons equip the required skills and minimally invasive techniques.
ALES: Could you share with us a memorable moment or event from your professional journey? What did you learn from it and/or how does the experience influence your approach to surgery or teaching?
Prof. Lomanto: This is an interesting yet difficult question. After 30 years of being a surgeon, every patient that I operate on and goes home happy the next day is a memorable moment for me. Anytime I see a patient going home safer with its health problems resolved fulfills my dream as a doctor.
ALES: How has your experience been as an Editorial Board Member of ALES?
Prof. Lomanto: I feel that being in the board of a journal like ALES is very important as we can provide correct education by identifying the good papers and teaching message for the readers, and this is what the board aims to accomplish. The journal is in continuous evolution and improvement, and is continuing to attract better articles and awarded the citation and impact factor.