Berlin Congress 2010
Jochen Strauß, prof.dr.med.
HELIOS Klinikum Berlin Buch
Schwanebecker Chaussee 50 - 13125 Berlin
E-mail: jochen.strauss@helios-kliniken.de
More than 400 delegates out of more than 40 countries attended the 2nd congress of the European Society of Paediatric Anaesthesiology, ESPA, that was held from 2nd to 4th of September 2010 in Berlin, Germany.The congress venue, the Langenbeck-Virchow-House, is a famous historic building in the centre of the town. Formerly builded as a meeting house of both the German Surgical Society and the German Medical Society, after foundation of the GDR the first government of the GDR took place in the lecture hall of the historic house. After reunification of the German nations and full reconstruction the Langenbeck-Virchow-House became a location for congresses and meetings again.
Major scientific topics of the congress have been patient management, awareness in children, airway management, cardiac anaesthesia and pain management. The scientific program was accompanied by sessions on simulation in paediatric anaesthesia, difficult airway management and resuscitation as well as workshops on the use of ultrasound for vascular access and controlled ventilation of children. More than 60 free paper and poster presentations reflected a high quality and astir interest in research in paediatric anaesthesia.
A major topic of the congress was the foundation of important European projects on Paediatric Anaesthesia, for example the collaboration in a German project called OrphanAnaesthesia (gather and provide information regarding anaesthesia in children with rare diseases) and a standardization of the perioperative fluid management in children.
The Gala dinner took place in the restaurant on top of the TV tower, slowly spinning around and giving a wonderful sight over the illuminated town by night. Within a few seconds a quick drawer made funny portraits of the guests.