Gaspare Tagliacozzi, often regarded as the "father of plastic surgery," made groundbreaking contributions to nasal reconstruction in the late 16th century. His 1597 work, De Curtorum Chirurgia per Insitionem, detailed innovative approaches to nasal and facial reconstruction, notably the "Italian Method," which utilized skin grafts from the patient’s arm to repair facial defects. This technique addressed injuries from trauma, illness, and conflict prevalent in Renaissance Italy. Tagliacozzi’s methods established principles of tissue viability and grafting that are still foundational in reconstructive surgery today. In addition to his technical innovations, Tagliacozzi emphasized patient care and long-term rehabilitation, foreshadowing ethical standards in modern plastic surgery. Though his ideas faced opposition from the religious and medical communities of his era, Tagliacozzi’s work laid the groundwork for reconstructive surgery as a respected medical practice. His legacy continues to inspire developments in microsurgery, flap techniques, and a patient-centred approach in the field.

The cholecystectomy is an operation that effectively captures the evolution of general surgery as a speciality. From the first open operation performed by Langenbuch in Berline in 1882, to the introduction and subsequent revolution of laparoscopy, gallbladder operations have changed dramatically since their origins. This poster presentation outlines the transformation of the cholecystectomy over more than 100 years. It demonstrates the innovations, instrumentation and surgical training that developed this operation into the modern operation done today. Early open procedures, pioneered by Kocher and Mayo, relied on anatomical understanding, precision and endurance. The introduction of video-assisted laparoscopy redefined this approach. It wasn’t long before laparascopic cholecystectomy became the gold standard. This technique dramatically impacted patient recovery, training, the operating environment for subsequent generations. This poster will cover key themes of the cholecystectomy over time, including early open techniques and their challenges, the sift from open to laparscopic access, the key pioneers, and the potential for the next revolution of robotics and AI. The story of the cholecystectomy is an example of the continual desire for safer and smarter surgery that drives the incredible advancements we observe today.

Prior to the late 19th century, surgery was synonymous with infection. Operative mortality from sepsis exceeded 50%, and most surprisingly, the term “laudable pus” was mistaken for wound healing. This was until the antiseptic revolution, led by Joseph Lister in 1867, marking one of the most dramatic turning points in surgical history. Influenced by Pasteur’s germ theory, Lister introduced carbolic acid to sterilise instruments, wounds, and dressings. This began to transform surgical practice by reducing postoperative infections. These methods triggered a global shift toward aseptic technique, with autoclaves, sterile gowns, gloves, and masks. Antibiotics were only made available to the medical community until the 1940s, and further reduced infection-related mortality. However, overreliance would invite new challenges of resistance. Surgery today combines aseptic principles with antimicrobial coatings, laminar airflow theatres, and robust infection surveillance. This poster presentation outlines the evolution from the unsterile theatres of the 1800s to today’s operating suites. It highlights how each breakthrough helped reshape the concept, prevention and management of surgical infection. The journey from Lister’s original innovations to today’s sterile field is an enduring statement in the fight against infection, which remains central to ongoing surgical practice.