The European Foregut Society (EFS) today represents the leading association in Europe for benign foregut disease and pre-malignancy.
Our Mission
The EFS fosters partnership and exchange of ideas throughout Europe, across disciplines and between clinicians in the management of patients with benign foregut disease and pre-malignancy. We encourage international multidisciplinary dialogue, education, and research. Our society is assisting in the development of benchmarks that improve diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for patients with foregut symptoms and we offer support for their implementation.
Fighting the foregut diseases
We want to be different! Traditional societies tend to focus mainly on cancer and bariatrics to the extent that benign disease is largely marginalized. The emphasis of EFS is on the collaboration of professionals to develop the best practice for patients with benign and premalignant foregut disease.
Multidisciplinary Pan – European Society
We offer the knowledge and expertise of leading experts across all parts of Europe, in the field of surgery, endoscopy, gastroenterology, pathology and radiology, to personalize treatment and improve patients outcomes.
EFS Story
EFS Annual Meeting
Welcome to the 6th EFS Annual Congress in Zurich!
Dear Colleagues,
The European Foregut Society (EFS) is a young and unique international organization dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary knowledge, innovation, and clinical excellence in the field of foregut diseases.
As the flagship event of the Society, the 6th EFS Annual Congress will take place from 11–13 November 2026 at the new Kinderspital Innovation Center in Zurich, bringing together leading surgeons, gastroenterologists, researchers, ENT specialists, physiologists, dietitians, and key industry partners from across Europe and beyond.
The scientific programme has been carefully designed to reflect the most challenging, controversial, and rapidly evolving topics in foregut medicine, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary dialogue and real-world clinical decision-making.
The programme features keynote lectures, high-level debates, video masterclasses, best paper sessions, and interactive panel discussions designed to challenge established concepts and promote innovation.
See you in Zurich!
EFS Postgraduate Course
Anti-Reflux Surgery Course 2026
Event Description
The 4th edition of the Anti-Reflux Surgery Course represents a structured, high-level educational program dedicated to surgical residents and young surgeons with a focused interest in foregut surgery.
Designed as a 3-day comprehensive training pathway, the course integrates:
Day 1 – Theoretical Course: a systematic, evidence-based approach to GERD and hiatal hernia, covering pathophysiology, diagnostics, indications, operative strategy, and complications.
Day 2 – Live Surgery: real-time operative demonstrations performed by experienced international faculty, emphasizing decision-making, anatomical landmarks, and technical nuances.
Day 3 – Hands-on Training: practical training in a controlled experimental setting, allowing participants to reproduce key steps of anti-reflux surgery, including hiatal dissection, cruroplasty, mesh reinforcement, and fundoplication techniques.
This stepwise structure ensures a progressive transition from knowledge acquisition to operative understanding and finally to technical execution.
