World J. Surg. 28, 348–349, 2004 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-003-7331-y

WORLD Journal of

SURGERY © 2004 by the Socie´te´ Internationale de Chirurgie

Highlights of ISS/SIC History International Federation of Surgical Colleges and International Society of Surgery S. William A. Gunn, M.D., M.S. Department of the History of Medicine and Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

History is a mirror of civilization; and like all mirrors, its image can be exact or incomplete, idealized or imperfect. The celebratory book, A Century of International Progress and Tradition in Surgery [1], is a successful record of the hundred years of existence of the International Society of Surgery/Socie´te´ Internationale de Chirurgie (ISS/SIC) which, in fact, coincides with the advances of twentieth century surgery worldwide. Its 388 pages are replete with personalities, events, techniques, disputes, joys, disappointments, discoveries, and above all the advances of surgery. The World Journal of Surgery, itself an initiative of ISS/SIC and IFSC surgeons, is rendering a valuable service in supplementing the above record with periodic “Highlights” [2–4], which add both facts and personal touches to the official record. Extensive as it is, the record unfortunately omits two important elements in international surgery: the relationship of the ISS/SIC with the International Federation of Surgical Colleges (IFSC) (Fig. 1) and the latter’s place in the history of surgery. Among the 12 chapters of the book [1], one section (pp. 198–223) is devoted to “Relationships to International Colleges and Societies.” It describes the Socie´te´’s ties with a multitude of surgical institutions, from such historic ones as the Royal College of Surgeons of England, to senior ones such as the American College of Surgeons, to younger specialized bodies such as the International Society for Burn Injuries. Being a record of historical events, it also, rightly, describes some of the less fortunate “relationships” of the ISS/SIC, in particular the controversy with the International College of Surgeons, which takes seven and a half pages. Unfortunately, the International Federation of Surgical Colleges is mentioned only once, just en passant in less than half a line (p. 206), yet the IFSC has had historically long, professionally close, scientifically fruitful ties with the ISS/SIC, contributing to mutual progress. The following are set on record to supplement the history of the ISS/SIC, which the IFSC is particularly proud to count as a senior member of the Federation. Although founded considerably later (in 1958), the IFSC and the ISS/SIC have a history of almost “conjoint” service, most of the senior personalities in one being also office holders of the other (Fig. 2), often with cross-responsibilities and joint decisions. Thus, Philip Sandblom was one of the 13 Founders of the Federation in

Correspondence to: S. William A. Gunn, M.D., M.S, International Federation of Surgical Colleges, La Panetie`re, CH-1279 Bogis-Bossey, Switzerland

Fig. 1. Coat-of-arms of the International Federation of Surgical Colleges. Designed by Robert B. Salter, President of IFSC 1987–1990 and recipient of the ISS Danis Prize 1989.

1958 and was later Congress President of the ISS/SIC. The same applies to such early leaders as Fritz Linder, Sir Harry Platt, Isidore Ravdin, and Yasuo Idezuki, who served both the IFSC and the ISS/ SIC with great distinction. The following is a list (nonexhaustive) of surgeons who have at various times been jointly active in the two organizations.

Gunn: IFSC and ISS

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W. Longmire: IFSC President 1984–1987; ISS/SIC Prize 1987 L. Nyhus: IFSC Treasurer 1992–1999; President ISS/SIC 1991– 1993 J.F. Nuboer: Co-Founder IFSC 1958; ISS/SIC Honorary Member 1969 B. O’Brien: IFSC President 1991–1992; ISS/SIC Leriche Prize 1979 Sir Harry Platt: Founder/First President IFSC 1958; ISS/SIC speaker 1947 I. Ravdin: Co-Founder IFSC 1958; ISS/SIC Honorary Member 1961 J. Rhoads: President 1979, Hon. Pres. 1987 IFSC; ISS/SIC Prize 1979 W. Rudowski: President IFSC 1976–1979; ISS/SIC Prize 1989 P. Sandblom: Co-Founder IFSC 1958; ISS/SIC President 1967 Lord Smith of Marlow: Councillor IFSC 1974; ISS/SIC Prize 1975 R. Tompkins: Editor-in-Chief World Journal of Surgery; ISS and IFSC M. Trede: Council IFSC 1969; ISS/SIC President 1993–1995 Fig. 2. The Executive of the International Federation of Surgical Colleges, 1998. Assembled in a single picture, the five surgeons show the strong ties that bind the ISS/SIC and the IFSC. Seated: Jonathan E. Rhoads, President, later Honorary President of the IFSC 1979–2002, ISS/SIC Prize winner 1979, and Honorary Member. Left to right: Yasuo Idezuki, Vice-President of the IFSC since 1996 and President of the ISS/SIC 1995–1997; S. William Gunn, Secretary General of the IFSC and representative of the ISS/SIC to the World Health Organization; Lloyd Nyhus, Treasurer of the IFSC and President of the ISS/SIC 1991–1993; John Terblanche, President of the IFSC 1997–2000 and an organizer of the ISS/SIC Congress in Durban in 2005. Center: Donna Muldoon, Administrative Secretary to the IFSC and to the U.S. branch of the ISS/SIC.

Martin Allgo ¨wer: IFSC Councillor 1972; ISS/SIC President 1979 S.E. Bergentz: IFSC Councillor 1986; ISS/SIC President 1987 E. Dahl-Iversen: Co-Founder IFSC 1958; ISS/SIC Hon. Member 1969 J.E. Dunphy: IFSC President 1967–1969; ISS Grey Turner Lecturer 1965 E.A. Elebute: Councillor IFSC and ISS/SIC S.W.A. Gunn: Secretary-General IFSC; ISS Representative to WHO 1972–2002 Y. Idezuki: IFSC Vice-President 1993–2000; ISS/SIC President 1995–1997 F. Linder: IFSC President 1982–1984; ISS/SIC President 1973– 1975

These are some of the surgeons who through both the ISS/SIC and the IFSC have contributed to twentieth century surgery. The World Journal of Surgery [5], the Collected Papers of the IFSC [6], the Federation’s IFSC News [7], and relevant editorials [8] are replete with the names and achievements of distinguished surgeons who have contributed to the International Society of Surgery and the International Federation of Surgical Colleges but, above all, to the progress of modern surgery. This contribution is continuing. References 1. Liebermann-Meffert D, White H. A Century of International Progress and Tradition in Surgery: An Illustrated History of the International Society of Surgery, Heidelberg, Kaden Verlag, 2001 2. Liebermann-Meffert D. Highlights of ISS/SIC history. World J. Surg. 2003;27:370–372 3. Encke A. An outstanding ISS/SIC surgeon. Fritz Linder. World J. Surg. 2003;27:495–497 4. Allgo ¨wer M. History and future of the International Society of Surgery. World J. Surg. 2003;27:373 5. Bertschi V. Keeping the ISS/SIC family together. World J. Surg. 2003; 27:374–376 6. Cook J. International Federation of Surgical Colleges: Collected Papers 1958–1979 Edinburgh, IFSC, 1982 7. Editorial. IFSC News 2001;42:1 8. Gunn SWA. Foreword. Int. Rev. Mod. Surg. 2002;6:1–13