IAPSCON 2025, the Diamond Jubilee National Conference of Indian Association of Paediatric Surgeons was held recently at Puri. This was a monumental moment for the IAPS Odisha Chapter, hosting revered and upcoming Paediatric Surgeons from around India. While the faculty of Department of Paediatric Surgery in KIMS, participated and contributed significantly to the conference, the residents were not far behind, presenting eye-opening academic papers and winning accolades and appreciation.
Prof (Dr.) Pradeep Kumar Jena, HOD and Professor, Department of Paediatric Surgery opened the Annual chapter meeting and the conference with an insightful and highly appreciated talk on Paediatric Surgery in Odisha: Past, Present and Future. He continued as a chairperson in the challenging discussion of Biliary atresia and Liver Transplantation. The true moment of pride came with his felicitation and receipt of the Diamond Jubilee award for his immense and continuing contributions to the growth of Paediatric Surgery in India.
Prof (Dr.) Subrat Kumar Mohanty, Professor in Department of Paediatric Surgery, became a chairperson for an extremely interesting and in-vogue panel discussion on 3D Imaging and Bio-printing, a novel insight into advanced imaging techniques and its utilization in management protocols of different conditions in Paediatric Surgery.
Dr. Harish Chandra Tudu, Associate Professor, Department of Paediatric Surgery, was a judge in an extremely endearing and impactful Postgraduate paper session pertaining to Paediatric Thoracic surgery, with multiple unique papers and research being presented.
Dr. Varsha. M. Totadri, Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatric Surgery, was a judge in a youthful Postgraduate paper session, discussing unique cases, series and original research in Paediatric Gastrointestinal surgery, encouraging the residents to invest in learning and advancements.
She also presented her unique IAPS observer-ship experience, in Paediatric Urology, at SRIHER, Chennai and received an IAPS National fellowship certificate and prize money for the same. On the last day of the conference, she joined an esteemed panel discussion as a panellist, to discuss Complex Paediatric Surgical Oncology cases- presenting a unique and challenging case from KIMS- Multidisciplinary management of metastatic Hepatoblastoma and the utilization of TACE in our centre as a first in Odisha for the same. The panel was well received and discussed. She ended the conference by moderating the highly anticipated and exciting Postgraduate symposium on “How Postgraduates perceive Paediatric surgery and the future ahead”. The session was a first of its kind where postgraduates took the mantle as panelists and presented on unique and non-academic topics- inciting hot discussions amongst seniors and juniors alike.
The icing for the IAPSCON journey was the well appreciated paper presentations by the postgraduates from KIMS (General Surgery residents)- Dr. Anshika Singh (2nd year Junior resident); Dr. Yash Maheshwari (1st year Junior resident) and Dr. Abhishek Bhavanam (1st year Junior resident). All 3 residents presented unique cases from KIMS, managed by Paediatric surgery department, with Dr. Anshika Singh winning best paper presentation in her session for her case on “The Unexpected Hidden Danger Of Lightning Strike: A Rare Case Report Of Bladder Injury”. For her achievement she received a medal, a certificate of appreciation as well as the 2nd volume of the much awaited IAPS textbook- a true honour for our department and our hospital.
Overall, IAPSCON Puri, 2025 was a true success, giving an opportunity to showcase the inherent as well as growing talent and knowledge of Paediatric Surgery Department in Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences.