Surgery today is no longer confined to the operating room, it is shaped by data, technology, ethics, collaboration, and the ability to make critical decisions under pressure. This reality was powerfully reflected at the 10th Oman Surgical Society Surgical Update Conference, the flagship annual congress of the Oman Surgical Society, held on 19–20 December 2025 at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre in Muscat.

Bringing together surgeons, consultants, and healthcare leaders from across Oman and the region, the congress positioned itself as a strategic scientific platform addressing not only surgical techniques, but also the future direction of surgical practice in an increasingly complex healthcare landscape.

A High-Impact Scientific Program by the Numbers

 The strength of the Oman Surgical Society Annual Congress was evident not only in its content, but also in its scale and structure:

• 350 physical attendees, reflecting strong national and regional engagement
• 15 international experts, contributing global perspectives and advanced expertise
• 8 core scientific sessions, covering current practice and future trends
• 3 focused symposia and 6 hands-on workshops, emphasizing practical learning
• 100+ scientific abstracts, highlighting active research and innovation
• 1 Surgical Jeopardy Competition, fostering education and engagement among GCC residents
• Accredited by the Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) for 11 CME hours, reinforcing the congress’s academic credibility
  This carefully designed format ensured a balance between education, discussion, debate, and skills development.

A Scientific Program Reflecting the Realities of Modern Surgery

 Day One: Innovation, Decision-Making, and the Future of Surgical Practice

The congress opened with a forward-looking keynote on “The Future of Surgery in Oman: Challenges and the Road Ahead”, setting a strategic tone focused on sustainability, workforce readiness, and innovation in surgical care.

Sessions on the first day addressed some of the most complex and high-impact topics in contemporary surgery, including:

• Surgical management of high-risk patients and complex oncological cases
• Complications in inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal malignancies
• Advanced decision-making in rare and unusual surgical scenarios

A dedicated future-focused session explored artificial intelligence in surgery, augmented reality, robotic telesurgery, and predictive visions of surgical practice, aligning closely with global interest in digital health, AI-driven surgery, and robotic innovation.

The day also featured a strong emphasis on minimally invasive and “scarless” surgery, with discussions on robotic colorectal outcomes, bariatric surgery challenges, and patient-reported quality-of-life measures reflecting the growing importance of patient-centered surgical outcomes.

Day Two: Surgery Under Pressure, Consensus, and Real-World Dilemmas

The second day shifted the focus toward surgical leadership under extreme conditions, addressing topics such as:

• Mass disaster preparedness and strategic surgical planning
• Military and conflict-zone surgery
• Delivering care in resource-limited and high-risk environments

These sessions highlighted the surgeon’s role beyond technique, emphasizing resilience, ethics, and adaptability.

A defining component of the congress was the presentation of Oman Surgical Society Expert Consensus Statements, covering key areas such as gallbladder polyps, rib fracture management, and principles of surgical quality. These sessions elevated the congress from a knowledge-sharing event to a national reference point for surgical standards and best practice.

The program concluded with interactive surgical dilemma discussions, resident-focused activities, and the Surgical Jeopardy Competition, reinforcing education, mentorship, and engagement of the next generation of surgeons.

Scientific Highlights at a Glance

• Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality in Surgery
• Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques
• Surgical Oncology and Precision Medicine
• Trauma, Disaster, and Military Surgery
• Evidence-Based National Consensus Guidelines
• Patient-Centered Outcomes and Quality of Life
• Surgical Ethics, Leadership, and Decision-Making

Together, these themes positioned the congress as one of the region’s most comprehensive and future-oriented surgical meetings.

Delivering Excellence Beyond the Scientific Program

The success of the Oman Surgical Society Annual Congress was further strengthened by the professional execution led by ICOM Gulf, whose expertise in managing high-profile medical and scientific conferences was evident throughout the event. From strategic planning and stakeholder coordination to seamless on-ground operations and delegate experience management, the ICOM Gulf team ensured that a complex, multi-track scientific program was delivered with precision and consistency.

Their ability to align scientific objectives with operational excellence reaffirmed ICOM Gulf’s position as a trusted partner for regional and international medical associations seeking world-class conference management standards.

A Platform Shaping the Future of Surgery

As surgical practice continues to evolve, platforms like the Oman Surgical Society Annual Congress play a critical role in advancing knowledge, shaping national standards, and preparing surgeons for the realities of modern healthcare.

Medical associations, healthcare institutions, and industry partners seeking to deliver impactful, future-ready scientific events are invited to collaborate in building the next chapter of surgical excellence in Oman and across the region.