The APCIR aims to represent and promote robotic surgery, as well as contributing to the training of doctors. A group of urologists and surgeons with vast experience in robotic surgery and from various hospital centers in the country have just created the Portuguese Association of Robotic Surgery (APCIR). “We are a multidisciplinary association with the main purpose of representing robotic surgery at national and international level, and promoting the specific training of physicians”, states Kris Maes , the president of APCIR and coordinator of the Center of Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Hospital da Luz Lisboa. The new scientific organization was officially registered on the 17 th of June this year. Besides Kris Maes, who was appointed president of the association, other Hospital da Luz physicians integrate the board, namely urologists Luís Campos Pinheiro (secretary), and Teixeira de Sousa (vocal), and the surgeon general Paulo Roquete (president of the supervisory board). João Casanova will be in charge of the gynecology section, Fernando Martelo in charge of the thoracic surgery section, Rui Formoso and João Magalhães Pina will be in charge of the prostate surgery section, and Tito Leitão and Rui Farinha in charge of the kidney surgery section. APCIR : Already counts with 175 associates – among general surgery, urology, gynecology-obstetrics, oncocardiology and orthopedics physicians – who participated in the assembly of establishment and election of the first governing bodies, which took place on July 11, in the headquarters of the Portuguese Medical Association in Lisbon. Has already established a number of partnerships with scientific associations in Portugal and in Brazil and will hold its first congress in July 2025. It also aims to provide opinions, promote educational and training activities, and integrate work groups on robotic surgery, as well as organizing initiatives in this field destined for medical professionals and the general population.
