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Symposium

Anorectal
Symposium

The Latest Anorectal Innovations

Monday, May 11, 2026
1:20 PM - 2:10 PM ET

CME Live Q&A and Polling

    Co-Moderator(s)

  • David Kleiman, MD, MSc, FACS, FASCRS (he/him/his)

    Staff Surgeon
    Lahey Hospital & Medical Center
    Lahey Hospital & Medical Center
    Melrose, MA, United States

    All of the relevant financial relationships listed below have been mitigated.
    This individual has no relevant relationships with ineligible companies.

  • Wolfgang Gaertner, MD, MSc, MBA

    Professor and Chief, Colon & Rectal Surgery
    University of Minnesota
    University of Minnesota
    Minneapolis, MN, United States

    All of the relevant financial relationships listed below have been mitigated.
    This individual has no relevant relationships with ineligible companies.

CME: .75 hours
Self-

Assessment: .75 hours

This cutting-edge symposium brings together leading experts to explore the latest advancements in anorectal surgery. With a focus on innovation, the program will highlight novel approaches to the management of complex anorectal disorders, including the use of minimally invasive laser therapy for anorectal fistulas and the development of bioengineered anal sphincter implants. Through a combination of didactic lectures, recorded case demonstrations, and interactive panel discussions, attendees will gain insight into the scientific rationale, clinical applications, outcomes, and limitations of these evolving technologies. The symposium is designed for colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists, surgical trainees, and researchers interested in the future of anorectal care.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
  • Evaluate the role of laser therapy (e.g., FiLaC – Fistula Laser Closure) in the treatment of anorectal fistulas, including patient selection, procedural technique, and clinical outcomes.
  • Recognize the science and development behind bioengineered anal sphincter implants, including tissue engineering principles and early-phase clinical data.
  • Discuss the ethical, logistical, and cost considerations involved in adopting novel anorectal technologies into clinical practice.
  • Identify future directions and ongoing research in the field of regenerative medicine and minimally invasive interventions for anorectal disease.

Presentations:

  • 1:20 PM - 1:22 PM ET
    Introduction
  • 1:22 PM - 1:32 PM ET
    Lighting the Way: MRI-Guided, Tailored Surgery for Complex Anal Fistulas

    Faculty: Arun Rojanasakul, MD, PhD (HON) (he/him/his) – Chulalongkorn University

  • 1:32 PM - 1:43 PM ET
    The Next Frontier: Bioengineered Solutions for Fecal Incontinence

    Faculty: Amy J. Thorsen, MD (she/her/hers) – University of Minnesota

  • 1:43 PM - 1:54 PM ET
    From Data to Decision: Integrating Machine Learning in HRA Surveillance.

    Faculty: Elliot G. Arsoniadis, MD, PhD – University of Minnesota

  • 1:54 PM - 2:05 PM ET
    When Traditional Fails: Innovative Solutions to Refractory Anorectal Problems

    Faculty: Justin Maykel, MD – UMass Memorial Health

  • 2:05 PM - 2:10 PM ET
    Polling and Questions