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Ann Coloproctol
Ann Coloproctol
ACP
Annals of Coloproctology
2287-9714
2287-9722
Korean Society of Coloproctology

39228194
10.3393/ac.2024.00514.0073
ac-2024-00514-0073
Editorial
From the Editor: Uniting expertise, a new era of global collaboration in coloproctology
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5355-3969
Park In Ja
Editor-in-Chief, Annals of Coloproctology
Correspondence to In Ja Park, MD, PhD Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Korea Email: ipark@amc.seoul.kr
8 2024
30 8 2024
40 4 285286
7 8 2024
7 8 2024
© 2024 The Korean Society of Coloproctology
2024
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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pmcAnnals of Coloproctology (Ann Coloproctol, ACP) is delighted to announce a multiyear collaboration with the Unitary Italian Society of Colon-Proctology-ETS (SIUCP-ETS), making ACP the official journal of SIUCP-ETS. The SIUCP is a distinguished medical society in Italy, dedicated to advancing the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal and anal disorders. The history of SIUCP dates back to 1978 with the founding of the Italian Academy of Colon-Proctology. This initiative expanded in 1992 with the establishment of the Society of Colon-Proctology (SICP) and the Italian Association of Colon-Proctology Units (UCP). A pivotal moment occurred in 1998 during the 1st Joint Congress of the SICP and UCP in Sorrento (Naples, Italy), leading to the unification of these entities and the official formation of SIUCP in 2002. A great work in the unification process was done by Antonio Longo, a notable figure in SIUCP, renowned for pioneering minimally invasive techniques for treating hemorrhoidal prolapse and pelvic organ prolapse, such as stapled hemorrhoidopexy and pelvic organ prolapse suspension. Through this partnership, ACP and SIUCP-ETS are committed to upholding the highest standards of scientific excellence, patient care, and medical education in coloproctology worldwide.

This partnership is particularly significant for ACP as it represents our 2nd official collaboration with an international society. ACP became the official journal of the Asia-Pacific Federation of Coloproctology (APFCP) in 2019. Since then, there has been a significant increase in contributions from APFCP-affiliated authors and other international scholars. ACP has endeavored to publish articles that address scientific, clinical, and health issues, especially in the Asia Pacific region, enhancing its reputation as a leading medical journal in the era of coloproctology.

ACP has previously published special issues in 2019, 2021, and 2022 to commemorate its history and notable contributors. This year, ACP is proud to present a special edition in the August issue titled “Global Master Class 2024,” celebrating our expanded international collaborations.

SIUCP-ETS presents a clinical guideline titled “The Italian Unitary Society of Colon-Proctology (Società Italiana Unitaria di Colonproctologia) guidelines for the management of acute and chronic hemorrhoidal disease” [1]. The authors from SIUCP-ETS are dedicated to providing an effective guideline for managing hemorrhoidal disease.

Pankaj Garg had made significant advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of anal fistulas. He has published extensively on his experiences and research, and his work has become a key reference for surgeons managing anal fistulas. In a review article, he discusses the latest advances in the management of complex fistulas [2].

James J. Yoo, an expert in bioengineering science, provides an overview and perspective on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications in colorectal surgery [3]. His contribution offers valuable insights into integrating these advanced techniques into colorectal surgical practice.

The development of robotic surgery in the colorectal field has been both rapid and significant. In this context, training and education are crucial for providing optimal surgical treatment with the highest efficacy. Jim S. Kahn and Guglielmo Niccolò Piozzi have shared their experiences in establishing an organized training program for robotic colorectal surgery since 2015 [4]. Jim S. Kahn, a pioneer in this area, continues to make history.

Gyu Seog Choi has conducted extensive research on the role of lateral pelvic lymph node (LPLN) dissection in the surgical treatment of rectal cancer, significantly contributing to the reevaluation of surgery's role in oncology, which has recently focused on advancements in chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In this comprehensive review article [5], he leverages his expertise to discuss the current status and significance of LPLN metastasis in advanced rectal cancer, emphasizing the role of LPLN dissection.

Masaaki Ito, a leader in the transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) procedure, along with Daichi Kitaguchi, discusses anatomical landmarks and technical tips essential for TaTME [6]. His extensive experience provides valuable inspiration for surgeons preparing for TaTME.

Finally, Nam Kyu Kim shares his insights and research on total mesorectal excision (TME), the fundamental standard of rectal cancer surgery [7]. He has worked tirelessly to establish the proper concept of TME in Korea through TME workshop programs. Recognized as a “master artisan” of rectal cancer surgery, he is committed to technical excellence and the best patient care, underpinned by scientific rigor, and addresses numerous clinical questions faced by surgeons.

The editors of ACP greatly appreciate the authors’ contributions to this global master class issue. Through this special issue, we reaffirm a fundamental goal of ACP: to contribute to the in-depth development of surgical treatment, the cure of colorectal diseases, and the improvement of public health. ACP is dedicated to achieving this goal, and our valuable international collaborations will be a source of steadfast support in this journey.

Conflict of interest

In Ja Park is the current Editor-in-Chief of Annals of Coloproctology. No other potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Funding

None.
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REFERENCES

1 Brillantino A Renzi A Talento P Brusciano L Marano L Grillo M The Italian Unitary Society of Colon-Proctology (Società Italiana Unitaria di Colonproctologia) guidelines for the management of acute and chronic hemorrhoidal disease Ann Coloproctol 2024 40 287 320 39228195
2 Garg P Bhattacharya K Yagnik VD Mahak G Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of complex anal fistula Ann Coloproctol 2024 40 321 335 39228196
3 Mainali BB Yoo JJ Ladd MR Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches in colorectal surgery Ann Coloproctol 2024 40 336 349 39228197
4 Piozzi GN Subramaniam S Ronconi Di Giuseppe D Duhoky R Khan JS Robotic colorectal surgery training: the Portsmouth perspective Ann Coloproctol 2024 40 350 362 39228198
5 Choi GS Kim HJ The role of lateral pelvic lymph node dissection in advanced rectal cancer: a review of current evidence and outcomes Ann Coloproctol 2024 40 363 374 39228199
6 Kitaguchi D Ito M Dissection layer selection based on an understanding of pelvic fascial anatomy in transanal total mesorectal excision Ann Coloproctol 2024 40 375 383 39228200
7 Cho MS Bae HW Kim NK Essential knowledge and technical tips for total mesorectal excision and related procedures for rectal cancer Ann Coloproctol 2024 40 384 411 39228201
