Under the high patronage of H.E. Dr. Rakan Nassereddine, Minister of Public Health of Lebanon, and in the presence of Prof. Jacques Marescaux, Founder and President of IRCAD International and one of the world’s leading pioneers in minimally invasive surgery and surgical education, IRCAD Liban is preparing to host a major medical and educational event dedicated to robotic thoracic surgery on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Hôpital Français du Levant.
The event marks another step in IRCAD Liban’s commitment to advancing surgical education in Lebanon and providing physicians, medical students, and surgical trainees with access to cutting-edge technologies and world-class expertise.
Organized in collaboration with the Lebanese Pulmonary Society, the Lebanese Society for General Surgery, and the Lebanese Society of Medical Oncology, the event reflects a multidisciplinary scientific approach, bringing together expertise in surgery, pulmonology, and oncology to explore the latest developments in robotic thoracic surgery.
A key highlight of the event will be a live robotic thoracic surgical procedure performed by Prof. Jalal Assouad, Head of Thoracic Surgery at Hôpital Tenon in Paris. The procedure will be broadcast live directly from the operating room, allowing participants to follow its different stages and gain firsthand insight into the advanced techniques used in this field.
The event will bring together prominent international experts, led by Prof. Jacques Marescaux, Founder and President of IRCAD International; Prof. Jalal Assouad, Head of Thoracic Surgery at Hôpital Tenon in Paris; and Prof. A. Hanna, Director of Interventional Pulmonology at Hôpital Marie-Lannelongue in Paris.
The program will offer participants a unique opportunity to understand why robotic thoracic surgery represents one of the most significant advances in modern surgical practice, combining theoretical knowledge with direct practical experience. Participants will be able to observe the live procedure, interact with experts, and discuss its medical and technical aspects.
The program will also provide an opportunity for scientific exchange with specialists in oncology, pulmonology, vascular surgery, and thoracic surgery, with discussions focusing on patient selection criteria, indications for robotic surgery, and the role of these technologies within contemporary treatment strategies.
The event builds on IRCAD Liban’s approach of combining theoretical education, hands-on experience, and advanced technology, particularly through the live transmission of surgical procedures from the operating room to educational auditoriums, providing participants with an interactive learning experience that goes beyond traditional training methods.
In this context, Dr. Antoine Maalouf, President of IRCAD Liban and CEO of Hôpital Français du Levant, continues his efforts to develop the center’s educational programs and strengthen its ties with the global IRCAD network, with the aim of making international surgical expertise and advanced technologies more accessible to physicians and the new generation of medical and surgical students in Lebanon.
The event holds particular significance for medical and surgical students, offering them an opportunity to experience the future of surgery firsthand, observe an advanced robotic procedure live, and benefit from direct exposure to internationally renowned professors and specialists. The initiative aims to bring the next generation closer to the skills and technologies that will play an increasingly important role in the future of medical practice.
The course will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM at Hôpital Français du Levant. Attendance is complimentary by invitation.
IRCAD Liban has opened registration for those wishing to attend and encourages physicians, medical students, and surgical trainees to register in advance to secure their participation.