‘The Surgeon Show truly sets the tone for what lies ahead, showcasing the very best of global robotic surgical practice with a clear focus on improving patient outcome’
London hosted the first-ever Surgeon Show on 20 February, igniting innovation, sparking collaboration and transforming the surgical community, earning itself a place on the global surgical calendar.
According to one guest, the pioneering and exclusive Surgical Leaders Summit ‘sets the tone for what lies ahead, showcasing the very best of global robotic surgical practice with a clear focus on improving patient outcomes’.
Designed to shape the future of surgery, drive change and elevate leadership within the profession, The Surgeon Show 2026 was held at the prestigious Minster Building in the heart of London’s financial district and attracted an impressive 656 C-suite surgeons from around the world.
It featured more than 60 expert speakers and distinguished faculty, drew clinicians from across the globe, and was supported by over 50 healthcare organisations.
The event provided an exceptional platform for learning, sharing and collaboration and, thanks to its impressive line-up of speakers and guests, it was perfectly placed to disseminate insights from some of the most influential voices in the sector.
Attendees participated in 25 curated, high-level sessions that addressed the latest advancements and challenges in surgery, offering exceptional networking opportunities.
The complementary exhibition showcased a wealth of cutting-edge surgical innovations, including those in artificial intelligence, digitalisation, virtual reality, 3D printing and robotics.
The keynote speaker was Rafael J Grossmann, the widely acclaimed general and trauma surgeon and pioneering digital health innovator, whose passion for the intersection of healthcare and technology was palpable in his address.
Hailed as a top influencer in digital health transformation, he described The Surgeon Show as a ‘magnificent and most-needed event’.
Among the key themes covered, delegates were treated to sessions on:
• The future operating theatre – integrating robotics
• AI and immersive technologies
• Digital ethics and data-driven care in an AI-enabled world
• Training, leadership and mentorship in the modern era.
Speaking after the event, Professor Shafi Ahmed, the multi-award-winning surgeon, educator, and innovator, and co-founder of Surgery International and The Surgeon Show, admitted he was overwhelmed by the response.
‘Thank you to all who came and supported The Surgical Leaders Summit at The Surgeon Show, which has found its permanent place in the surgical calendar,’ he said. ‘When we set out to build an entirely new event, we looked at the landscape and knew it was necessary. Our sole purpose was to connect senior surgeon leaders with industry partners and policymakers. We succeeded in our endeavours by creating an inspiring environment for the ultimate decision-makers to meet in one room to rethink, reimagine and redesign the future of our profession.’
He added: ‘Surgery presents unique challenges, and we wanted to take our guests on a journey that would push them out of their comfort zones and expand their minds and horizons – to create a different way of thinking and bring global perspectives. From mind-blowing keynotes to insightful panel discussions, from robots and exoskeletons to extended reality and AI surgical platforms, the agenda was created to inspire.’
Zameer Shah, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, summarised the mood: ‘Massive credit goes to Professor Shafi Ahmed and Mr Tim Lane (RCS President Elect), and the entire team who organised this visionary, informative, and collegial gathering, bridging the interfaces of surgery, healthcare, innovation and technology.’
He added: ‘From the powerful keynote by Dr Rafael J. Grossmann to the concluding reflections by Professor Aymeric Lim, Singapore, this was a truly international and inspiring event. It was a privilege to attend.’
Indeed, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Ryan Kerstein, surgeon and NHS innovation leader, remarked: ‘Thanks for creating The Surgeon Show as a space for honest conversations. Congratulations on delivering something genuinely different.’
Nikhil Vasdev, professor and chair of robotic surgery (HMS, UH), added: ‘Thank you for organising such a remarkable academic surgical event. The Surgeon Show truly sets the tone for what lies ahead, showcasing the very best of global robotic surgical practice with a clear focus on improving patient outcomes.’
Tim Lane, consultant urologist and robotic surgeon and the Royal College of Surgeons’ president elect and editor in chief of Surgery International, who co-founded the event, said: ‘Thanks go to all the global sponsors, exhibitors, and speakers, whose insights and expertise are shaping the future of surgery, who share our ambitions in helping build our responsible future together. Ultimately, we wanted to create something new, unique, disruptive and special.’
Professor Shafi added: ‘In the world of social media, visibility and brand awareness, we wanted to create lasting and powerful media, and our media team partnered with the brilliant team from Future Medicine. Together, we are shaping the next era of surgery, with innovation, responsibility and patients at the heart of every conversation. Let us think boldly, lead responsibly and build what comes next, together.’
Other sponsors were thanked, too, for supporting Surgery International in bringing The Surgeon Show to life. They included:
• Albright IP
• AV Medical Systems
• Cambridge Consultants
• CMR Surgical
• Concentric
• The Confederation of British Surgery
• DarwinGroup
• Erbe
• Healthcare Skills Training International
• J&J MedTech
• Medtronic
• Module CO
• Orascoptic
• Organa
• R2 Surgical
• Regency Wealth Management
• The Royal Society of Medicine
• Stanley
• Team
• VitVio.
