University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.

Prof. Påhlman is a Professor of Surgery and Head of the Colorectal Unit at the Department of Surgery at University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.  He is one of the global leaders in his field and has published numerous scientific and medical publications.

 

Question:

Prof Påhlman, you are an expert and veteran in the field of colo-proctology. Can you please tell us what advances and changes you’ve seen in the field since you first started?

Answer:

I’ve been in the field for 30 years. I’ve seen new anastomotic techniques introduced - to be more specific: staplers, laparoscopic and Nitinol procedures. The advances have changed the way we dissect. We have learned to follow the anatomy.

 

Question:

What other significant changes have you seen?

Answer:

One of the important changes has been the challenging of dogmas, and the loss of others. We have learned to question and understand what we need. This has been done in the correct way, based on huge randomized trials. The evidence has changed. Randomized trials can confirm that hypotheses are correct.

 

Question:

What place do you see for compression anastomosis?

Answer:

I see compression anastomosis as a good thing - perfect. There are no sutures and no foreign body left behind. There is no influence on healing and the healing process is not deteriorated by foreign materials. A multitude of data supports the fact that nicer anastomosis enables improved recovery.

Question:

What made you choose the field of colo-proctology?

Answer:

I started my research on rectal cancer in 1979 and finished my thesis on this topic in 1985 and have been involved in the field ever since.

 

Question:

I have read that you think that it is natural and desirable that surgeons – who have the closest involvement with patients – should be among the research leaders.

Can you please elaborate?

Answer:

In my opinion it is important that those running clinical science be involved in the treatment of patients. You must know the problems, know how to interpret the results from a clinical situation and by doing so, you will also be able to find new ideas and hypotheses to be tested.  Therefore, it is essential to have a broad clinical knowledge to be able to continue to do extensive research.