Held in Lucerne on the first Saturday following the Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer in September, HIDI 2025 was, as always, conducted entirely in English, drawing young residents and trainees from the French, German, and Italian parts of Switzerland. We were particularly pleased to welcome several medical students this year, whose enthusiastic participation demonstrates the broad appeal of the program.
On the occasion of this year's HIDI meeting, the former Forum Junge Chirurgie proudly presented its new identity as "Swiss Young Surgeons", complete with a new logo and a new website that is already accessible. This rebranding marks an important step in our evolution, reflecting our commitment to a modern, unified, and dynamic community for all young surgeons in Switzerland.
HIDI is far more than a simple lecture series; it serves as a unique platform for professional exchange. For residents, it offers a superb opportunity to network with colleagues from different hospitals and to compare surgical training programs and curricula. This collegial exchange is invaluable, often helping attendees to chart the next steps in their surgical careers.
The academic content is of the highest caliber, featuring excellent English-language lectures by renowned Swiss surgeons. These experts typically cover common procedures in their specialized fields, guiding attendees through the entire process from diagnosis to intervention. Possible complications and their respective management strategies are also thoroughly discussed, all compacted into focused 30-minute presentations.
Following a joint morning session, participants were able to customize their learning experience by choosing from parallel afternoon sessions, including specialized lectures focusing on cases in Traumatology/Orthopaedics, Visceral Surgery, and Pediatric Surgery. Beyond intellectual nourishment, attendees were provided with excellent cuisine, ensuring a stimulating and enjoyable day.
We extend our special gratitude to all our sponsors, especially those who have tirelesslynabled HIDI over many years—the event would simply not be possible without their dedication. A heartfelt thank you also goes to the sponsors who generously provide fantastic prizes for our competitions. This year, the top three winners in both the laparoscopic and the external fixator competitions took home valuable vouchers worth up to 500 CHF.
We also thank the SGC/SSC (Swiss College of Surgeons) for their continuous support and contributions. The Swiss Knife magazine itself has been a steadfast partner, consistently supporting the Swiss Young Surgeons through dedicated coverage of HIDI. We look forward to continuing this valuable partnership in 2026.
Finally, a special acknowledgement goes to Dr. med. Rebecca Kraus and Prof. Dr. med. Valentin Neuhaus, who chaired the meeting. They not only ensured an engaging professional discourse but also encouraged participants with personal insights and advice from their own career paths, inspiring attendees to remain dedicated to the hard, yet beautiful, calling of a surgeon.
We cordially invite all parties to promote HIDI 2026, which will take place on September 26, 2026. Please mark this date in your calendars!
