Melbourne, Australia – The Australian Limb Lengthening and Reconstructive Society (ALLARS) hosted its Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) on March 3rd and 4th, bringing together experts and practitioners from Australia and New Zealand to share knowledge and discuss the latest advancements in limb lengthening and reconstruction techniques.
Describing the event, Dr Tim O’Carrigan, President-Elect of ALLARS and a foot, ankle and limb reconstruction surgeon, said: “The two-day event, held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, was attended by over 65 orthopaedic surgeons, reconstructive surgeons, and allied health professionals from across Australia and New Zealand. The meeting involved keynote lectures and workshops, on a range of topics, including the latest research on deformity correction and limb reconstruction, congenic paediatric and adult congenital and acquired conditions, chronic infection, and trauma management.”
Professor Munjed Al Muderis, lead of the Limb Reconstruction Centre at MQ Health in Sydney said: “We had great attendance from experts coming from Australia and other parts of the world. The presentations from all members were excellent and the knowledge that was shared was very valuable.”
Prof. Al Muderis addressed the meeting on three topics:
1. Reconstructive solutions for severe upper limb deficiency
2. Polio
3. PF Pain and maltracking/instability – think beyond the knee.
A highlight of the meeting was the keynote lecture by Professor Nando Ferreira, director of the Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction fellowship at Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Prof. Ferreira discussed some of the latest advancements in chronic infection, open fracture management and management of limb loss.
Associate Professor Kevin Tetsworth, the current President of ALLARS and Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Trauma and Limb Reconstruction Unit at Royal Brisbane & Woman’s Hospital said: “The event brought together surgeons with the most interesting expertise in the challenging areas of limb lengthening and reconstruction. Prof. Ferreira was a fantastic speaker and provided wonderful educational talks. It was a fantastic opportunity to discuss these areas of interest that we share.”
Attendees had the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops, where they could discuss complex clinical cases and practice the use of limb-lengthening techniques and innovative software under the guidance of experienced surgeons.
“This speciality is unique and deals with extreme conditions that ordinary surgeons find very challenging to deal with”, said Prof. Munjed Al Muderis. “We would like to expand the society to Southeast Asia. As a future guest speaker at the Thai and Malaysian conferences, I intend to extend the invitation to our counterparts in those regions so that we can share knowledge “.
Concluding his comments on the event, Dr O’Carrigan said: “It was a very successful meeting with discussion on a wide range of topics. We look forward to holding the meeting in 12 months’ time in Sydney.”
