“Predict, prevent, control”
Second National Conference
Pleven Minimally Invasive Days
of the Bulgarian Association of Minimally Invasive and
Robotic Surgery
(BAMIRS)
with international participation
Medical University – Pleven
April 22–25, 2026, Pleven, Bulgaria
Conference Chair
Corresponding Member Prof. Slavcho Tomov
Organizing Committee
Chair
Prof. Dobromir Dimitrov
Members
Prof. Rosen Madzhov
Prof. Rosen Dimov
Prof. Nikola Kolev
Prof. Krasimir Yanev
Prof. Ivelin Takorov
Prof. Boyan Atanasov
Prof. Ivan Kostov
Assoc. Prof. Iliya Karagyоzov
Dr. Nikolay Popov
Midwife Kameliya Ilieva
Scientific Committee
Chair
Academician Grigor Gorchev
Members
Minimally Invasive Abdominal Surgery
Gen. Ventsislav Mutafchiyski
Prof. Nikola Vladov
Prof. Toma Pozharliev
Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery
Prof. Tsvetan Minchev
Minimally Invasive Urological Surgery
Prof. Marincho Georgiev
Prof. Vladislav Dunev
Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery
Prof. Yavor Kornovski
Prof. Emil Kovachev
Assoc. Prof. Svetlozar Stoykov
Robotic Surgery
Prof. Krasimir Ivanov
Prof. Nikolay Kolev
Assoc. Prof. Aleksandar Zlatarov
Minimally Invasive Gastroenterology
Assoc. Prof. Zornitsa Gorcheva
Scientific Session for Healthcare Professionals
Prof. Kiril Draganov
Prof. Nadezhda Hinkova
Dr. Georgi Nikolov, PhD
Dr. Stefan Buzalov, PhD
TRAINING COURSE
for residents and young specialists
Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons (SLS)
BAMIRS
April 22, Wednesday, 2026
7:00-18:00 Registration
Foyer, TELEC
8:00-13:00 Training Course for residents and young specialists
SLS-BAMIRS
Part I
8:00–8:15 Hall 2 “Ambroise Paré”
Introduction
Slavcho Tomov, Grigor Gortchev, Dobromir Dimitrov
Phillip Shadduck, Martin Karamanliev
8:15-10:10 Hall 2 “Ambroise Paré”
Theoretical session
Moderators: Ian Hodgdon, Mireille Truong
8:15-8:25 Management Strategies for Intraoperative Major Vascular Injuries
John Morrison
Louisiana State University, USA
8:25-8:35 Current Resident Robotic Training at LSU
Ian Hodgdon
Louisiana State University, USA
8:35-8:45 Safe Abdominal Entry and Closure
Phillip Shadduck
Duke University, USA
8:45-8:55 How to Choose a Robotic Surgery Systems for Your Hospital (Surg Endoscopy manuscript)
Jay Redan
Florida Hospital-Celebration Health, in Celebration, Florida, USA
8:55-9:05 Complications of Hiatal Hernia & Bariatric Surgery
Jay Redan1, Marcelo DaSilva2
1Florida Hospital-Celebration Health, in Celebration, Florida, USA
2Penn State University Medical College, Loyola University Medical Center, and Harvard Medical School
9:05-9:15 Analytical Decision Making - How Physicians Process Data & Make Decisions
Marcelo DaSilva
Penn State University Medical College, Loyola University Medical Center, and Harvard Medical School
9:15-9:25 Technology-Related Failure and Surgical Injury
Maurice Chung
Dept. of OBG, URPS, Northeast Ohio Medical University, NEOMED, Rootstown, Ohio, USA
9:25-9:35 Preventing Complications in Gyn Surgery - Increasing the Margin of Safety
Mireille Truong
MedStar Health-Georgetown University, Washington DC USA
9:35-9:45 The Feedback Tango - Providing Feedback in Medical Education
Jorge Carrillo
University of Central Florida, USA
9:45-9:55 Tissue extraction techniques for MIGS
Alex Snyder
MedStar Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown University in Washington, DC, USA
9:55-10:10 Discussion
10:10-10:30 Coffee break
10:30-13:15 Experimental OR, TELEC
Lap Suturing, Session 1
Session Chairs: Mireille Truong, Phillip Shadduck
Stations: J Morrison, I Hodgdon, J Redan (M DaSilva), M Chung (J Carillo), A Snyder
Coordinators: Martin Karamanliev, Georgi Prandzhev, Teodora Semova, Polya Marinova
13:15-14:00 Lunch break
14:00-16:45 Experimental OR, TELEC
Lap Suturing, Session 2
Session Chairs: Mireille Truong, Phillip Shadduck
Stations: J Morrison, I Hodgdon, J Redan (M DaSilva), M Chung (J Carillo), A Snyder
Coordinators: Martin Karamanliev, Georgi Prandzhev, Teodora Semova, Polya Marinova
18:00 Dinner – Restaurant “Panorama”, Panorama Hotel
Faculty Dinner
April 23, Thursday, 2026
7:00-18:00 Registration
Foyer, TELEC
8:00-16:30 Training course of residents and young specialist
SLS-BAMIRS
Part II
8:00-11:45 Experimental OR, TELEC
Wet lab and IVC Model, Session 1
Chairs: J Hodgdon, P Shadduck
3 Pig stations, 4 residents/station
J Morrison/M DaSilva, M Truong/A Snyder, M Chung/J Carillo
1 Bleeding IVC model
Redan/Karamanliev (all residents rotate thru this station for 15-20 minutes each)
Coordinators: Georgi Prandzhev, Teodora Semova, Polya Marinova
11:45-12:45 Lunch break
12:45-16:30 Experimental OR, TELEC
Wet lab and IVC Model, Session 2
Chair: J Hodgdon, P Shadduck
3 Pig stations, 4 residents/station
J Morrison/M DaSilva, M Truong/A Snyder, M Chung/J Carillo
1 Bleeding IVC model
J Redan/M Karamanliev (all residents rotate thru this station for 15-20 minutes each)
Coordinators: Georgi Prandzhev, Teodora Semova, Polya Marinova
17:00 Welcome Cocktail
Foyer TELEC
April 24, Friday, 2026
7:00-18:00 Registration
Foyer, TELEC
Hall 1 “Auditorium Jubilaei”, Medical University - Pleven
8:00-9:30 Plenary session Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) 1 (Surgery, Urology, Gynecology)
Moderators: Rossen Dimov, Boyan Atanasov, Yavor Kornovski
8:00-8:20 Robot-Assisted Gynecological Surgery – Clinical Experience and Indication Profile
Chavdar Tsvetkov, A. Yordanov, D. Strateva, I. Iliev, V. Dimitrova, A. Krasimirova
UMHAT “Dr. G. Stranski”, Department of Oncogynecology, Pleven, Bulgaria
8:20-8:40 Is Early Recovery of Urinary Continence Possible after Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy in Patients over 75 Years of Age?
Boyan Atanasov, Aleksandar Vanov, Zhitian Atanasov, Vladislav Dunev
UMHAT “Sveta Marina”, Pleven, Department of Urology
8:40-9:00 Robot-Assisted Surgery in the Era of Laparoscopy – Is It a Necessity?
Rosen Dimov
Department of Surgery, UMHAT “Kaspela” Ltd., Plovdiv, Department of Special Surgery, Medical University – Plovdiv, Medical Simulation and Training Center – MU-Plovdiv
9:00-9:20 Overview of Urological Complications in Oncogynecology and Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery
Yavor Kornovski
Medical University – Varna UMHAT “St. Anna – Varna”, Department of Gynecology
9:20-9:30 Discussion
9:30-10:00 Coffee break
10:00-10:30 Official Opening of the Congress
Greetings
Slavcho Tomov
President of BAMIRS
Academician Grigor Gortchev
Honorary President of BAMIRS
Dobromir Dimitrov
Rector of Medical University - Pleven
Phillip Shadduck
SLS
Greetings from official guests
Official ceremony for awarding Academician Damyanov
10:30-12:00 Plenary session SLS 1
Moderators: John Morrison, Ian Hodgdon, Dobromir Dimitrov
10:30-11:15 Surgical Surprises Video Session - SLS Faculty
John Morrison
Louisiana State University, USA
11:15-11:30 Data Collection & Room for Education with Modern Robotic Data
Ian Hodgdon
Louisiana State University, USA
11:30-11:45 ERAS & MMA in Bowel Surgery
Phillip Shadduck
Duke University, USA
11:45-12:00 Telementoring and Teaching of the Future
Jay Redan
Florida Hospital-Celebration Health, in Celebration, Florida, USA
12:00-12:15 Coffee break
12:15-14:00 Plenary session SLS 2
Moderators: Maurice Chung, Mireille Truong, Slavcho Tomov
12:15-12:30 Complications of Hiatal Hernia & Bariatric Surgery
Jay Redan1, Marcelo DaSilva2
1Florida Hospital-Celebration Health, in Celebration, Florida, USA
2Penn State University Medical College, Loyola University Medical Center, and Harvard Medical School
12:30-12:45 From Good to Great?
Marcelo DaSilva
Penn State University Medical College, Loyola University Medical Center, and Harvard Medical School
12:45-13:00 Complications of Robotic-Assisted Gyn Surgery: Prevention, Recognition, & Management
Maurice Chung
Dept. of OBG, URPS, Northeast Ohio Medical University, NEOMED, Rootstown, Ohio, USA
13:00-13:15 The Power of Surgical Video - Improving Surgical Performance Thru Video Review & Coaching
Mireille Truong
MedStar Health-Georgetown University, Washington DC USA
13:15-13:30 Beyond the Scope- Decoding Persistent Postop Pelvic Pain using the FIGO/IPPS Classification System
Jorge Carrillo
University of Central Florida, USA
13:30-13:45 Tissue extraction techniques for MIGS
Alex Snyder
MedStar Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown University in Washington, DC, USA
13:45-14:00 Discussion
14:00-14:30 Lunch break
14:30-15:10 Satellite Symposium: Novartis
14:30-15:00 Precision in Action: How Minimally Invasive Surgery and Targeted Adjuvant Therapy Are Transforming Early Breast Cancer
Martin Karamanliev, Yordan Ignatov
UMHAT “Dr. Georgi Stranski”
15:00-15:10 Discussion
15:10-16:50 Plenary Session MIS 2 (Surgery, Urology, Gynecology)
Moderators: Grigor Gorchev, Nikola Vladov, Marincho Georgiev, Ivelin Takorov
15:10-15:30 Tele-Surgery – Past, Present, Future
Grigor Gorchev
UMHAT “Sveta Marina”, Pleven Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
15:30-15:50 Surgery without Borders: Real Experience with Global Telementoring via Proximie
Dobromir Dimitrov
Oncosurgery Clinic, UMHAT “Dr. Georgi Stranski”, Medical University – Pleven
15:50-16:10 Adaptive Strategies in Laparoscopic Gastric Surgery: Addressing Intraoperative and Postoperative Challenges in Complex Cases
Ivelin Takorov, Tsonka Lukanova, Dimitriya Valcheva, Elina Todorova, Stefan Tsenov, Sinan Emin
First Clinic of Abdominal Surgery Military Medical Academy, Sofia
16:10-16:30 Lessons Learned after 1369 Laparoscopic Surgeries for Kidney Tumors (Video of Complications)
Marincho Georgiev, K. Yanev, I. Lilyanov, P. Dimitrov, S. Kotova, B. Botev
Department of Urology, UMHAT “Alexandrovska”
16:30-16:50 Vesico-ileo-perineal Urinary Fistula after Rectal Amputation with Definitive Colostomy due to Malignant Rectal Neoplasm. Robot-Assisted Urinary Diversion. Clinical Case
I. Valkanov¹, S. Valkanov¹², V. Pavlov¹, M. Doykov¹², B. Kasabov¹³
¹Department of Urology, UMHAT “Kaspela” – Plovdiv
²Department of Urology and General Medicine, Medical University – Plovdiv
³Landesklinikum, Wiener Neustadt, Austria
16:50-17:00 Coffe break
17:00-18:30 BAMIRS’ General Assembly
20:00 Gala Dinner
Restaurant “Life”
April 25, Saturday, 2026
7:00-13:00 Registration
Foyer, TELEC
Hall 1 “Auditorium Jubilaei”, Medical University - Pleven
8:00-9:45 Plenary Session MIS 3 (Surgery, Urology, Gynecology)
Moderators: Toma Pozharliev, Nikolay Kolev, Aleksandar Zlatarov
8:00-8:20 Low Anterior Resection Syndrome in Minimally Invasive Surgery – Assessment and Treatment Strategies
Denislav Stanchev
8:20-8:40 Colonic Diverticulosis. Minimally Invasive Approach
Plamen Chernopolski, Vasil Bozhkov, Vyara Grigorova
Second Department of Surgery UMHAT “Sv. Marina”, Medical University – Varna
8:40-9:00 Laparoscopic Orchiectomy for Late-Diagnosed Abdominal Testicular Retention – Clinical Case
I. Valkanov¹, S. Valkanov¹², V. Pavlov¹, M. Doykov¹²
¹Department of Urology, UMHAT “Kaspela” – Plovdiv
²Department of Urology and General Medicine, Medical University – Plovdiv
9:00-9:20 Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy – A Standardized Technique for Effective Treatment of Genital Prolapse
Stefan Buzalov¹, Yasen Trifonov¹, Plamen Yanev¹, Galina Staneva¹, Stefan Stefanov¹, Slavcho Tomov², Tihomir Totev²
¹UMHAT “Trakia” Ltd., Stara Zagora
²Medical University – Pleven 2
9:20-9:40 Minimally Invasive Techniques for the Treatment of Tubo-Ovarian Abscess (TOA) – Indications, Contraindications, Advantages
Yonka Ivanova¹², Y. Kornovski¹², S. Slavchev¹², S. Kostov¹³, A. Yordanov⁴⁵, E. Tsoneva⁶
¹UMHAT “St. Anna – Varna”, Department of Gynecology
²Medical University – Varna
³Medical University – Pleven, Research Institute
⁴Oncogynecology Clinic, UMHAT “G. Stranski”, Pleven
⁵Medical University – Pleven
⁶Department of Reproductive Medicine, “Shterev” Hospital, Sofia
9:40-9:45 Discussion
9:45-10:00 Coffee break
10:00-11:45 Plenary Session MIS 4 (Surgery, Urology, Gynecology)
Moderators: Rosen Madzhov, Nikola Kolev, Yavor Kornovski, Krasimir Yanev
10:00-10:20 Laparoscopic Orchiectomy for Late-Diagnosed Abdominal Testicular Retention – Clinical Case
I. Valkanov¹, S. Valkanov¹², V. Pavlov¹, M. Doykov¹²
¹Department of Urology, UMHAT “Kaspela” – Plovdiv
²Department of Urology and General Medicine, Medical University – Plovdiv
10:20-10:40 Safety Checkpoints in Minimally Invasive Surgery: A New Framework for Preventing Catastrophic Complications
T. Kalinov, A. Zlatarov, St. Mihaylov, P. Stamov, N. Kolev, Kr. Ivanov
Department of General and Operative Surgery Medical University – Varna
First Clinic of Surgery, UMHAT “Sveta Marina” – Varna
10:40-11:00 Chylous Ascites after Laparoscopic Myomectomy
Stoyan Kostov¹², Yavor Kornovski²³, Yonka Ivanova²³, Stanislav Slavchev²³
¹Research Institute, Medical University – Pleven
²UMHAT “St. Anna” AD, Varna
³Medical University “Prof. Paraskev Stoyanov”, Varna
11:00-11:20 Achilles’ Heel of Minimally Invasive Fetal Surgery: The Price of Progress
Petya Chaveeva
“Dr. Shterev” Hospital, Sofia Medical University – Pleven
11:20-11:40 Paravertebral Block for Intraoperative and Postoperative Analgesia in Robot-Assisted Thoracic Surgery – Our Experience
Mihail Georgiev, Daniel Hristov, Viliyan Platikanov, Kameliya Tsvetanova, Ivan Malkodanski
UMHAT “Sveta Marina”, Pleven, ICU
11:40-12:00 Retained Stone After Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration – Now What?
Tsanko Yotsov, Elena Boinska, Paolina Kamenova
University Hospital Medica Ruse, Department of Surgery
12:00-12:30 Lunch break
12:30-13:10 Satellite Symposium: ELTA 90М
12:30-13:00 Real-Time Molecular Ultrastaging in Gynecological Neoplasms. Clinical Applications of OSNA and Expression of the Biomarker CK19 in Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Solid Tumors
Borislav Arabadzhiev
ELTA 90M Ltd. – Sofia
13:00-13:10 Discussion
13:10-14:10 Satellite Symposium: Sofmedica
Moderator: Kiril Draganov
13:10-13:40 Plenary lecture: Robotics and High Intensity Theatre lists; improving efficiency and patient outcomes using da Vinci Surgery
Gijs Isaac van Boxel
Consultant Oesophago-Gastric & Bariatric Surgeon
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, UK
13:40-14:10 Live surgery
Da Vinci surgery of gallbladder
Telebgidge: Pleven, Bulgaria – Portsmouth, UK
14:10-14:20 Coffee break
14:20-16:50 Plenary Session “Robotic Surgery”
Moderators: Grigor Gorchev, Marincho Georgiev, Kiril Draganov, Tsvetan Minchev
14:20–14:40 (R)Evolution of Robotic Surgery: An Attempt at Advancement
Kiril Draganov
Department of Liver, Biliary, Pancreatic and General Surgery
Acibadem City Clinic UMHAT Tokuda, Sofia
14:40-15:00 The Role of Simulation Medicine in Reducing the Rate of Complications in Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgery
Slavcho Tomov
UMHAT “Sveta Marina”, Pleven Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
15:00-15:20 Robotic Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery
Mihaylov V., Tranchev L., Trichkov Tsv., Kostadinov R., Yakova M., Ivanov I., Melnikov V., Stoychev T., Chaush Sh., Vladov N.
Department of Hepatopancreatic Surgery and Transplantology Military Medical Academy – Sofia
15:20-15:40 Management of Severe Complications in Robotic Thoracoscopic Surgery
Tsvetan Minchev, A. Angelov, S. Bizyokov, S. Bogdanov, E. Manolov
Acibadem City Clinic Tokuda Hospital Department of Thoracic Surgery
15:40-16:00 Retrograde Nerve-Sparing Technique with Early Apical Dissection in Large-Volume Prostates – Step-by-Step Technique
Vasil Pavlov, Ivan Valkanov, Stanislav Valkanov, Mladen Doykov
UMHAT Kaspela, Plovdiv Medical University – Plovdiv
16:00-16:20 Anesthetic Considerations in Robot-Assisted Surgery
Viliyan Platikanov
UMHAT “Sveta Marina”, Pleven, ICU
16:20-16:40 Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality in Robotic Surgery Training: A Simulation-Based Approach
St. Mihaylov, A. Zlatarov, T. Kalinov, P. Stamov, N. Kolev, Kr. Ivanov
Department of General and Operative Surgery Medical University – Varna
First Clinic of Surgery, UMHAT “Sveta Marina” – Varna
16:40-16:50 Discussion
16:50-17:00 Closing of the Conference
17:00-17:30 BAMIRS’ Board’s Meeting
Hall 2 “Ambroise Paré”, TELEC
8:00-9:30 Plenary Session Veterinary Minimally Invasive Surgery
Moderators: Galina Simeonova, Miroslav Genov
8:00-8:20 Arthroscopic Diagnosis and Therapy in Equine Surgery
Prof. Galina Simeonova
8:20-8:40 Minimally Invasive Surgery as a Modern Standard in Veterinary Practice
Miroslav Genov
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Medical University – Pleven
Multiprofile Veterinary Clinic Bulgaria, Sofia
8:40-9:00 Small Patients, Big Challenges: Risks in Laparoscopic Anesthesia and Pneumoperitoneum in Dogs and Cats
Denitsa Dzhodzheva
Multiprofile Veterinary Clinic Bulgaria, Sofia
9:00-9:20 Percutaneous Cystolithotomy as a Modern Minimally Invasive Method in Dogs and Cats (PCCL)
Lidiya Ficherova
Multiprofile Veterinary Clinic Bulgaria, Sofia
9:20-9:40 Laparoscopic Partial Pancreatectomy in a Dog with Insulinoma – Clinical Case Presentation
Miroslav Genov
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Medical University – Pleven
Multiprofile Veterinary Clinic Bulgaria, Sofia
9:40-10:00 Application of Flexible Endoscopy for Diagnosis and Therapy in Horses
Plamen Kolev
10:00-10:10 Discussion
10:10-10:30 Coffee break
Hall 3 “Galen”, TELEC
8:30-9:10 Plenary Session Minimally Invasive Gastroenterology
Moderator: Zornitsa Gorcheva
BAMIRS Endoscopy School
8:30-9:00 Keynote Lecture
Basic Endoscopy: From Setup to First Procedure
- Preparation of the endoscopy room
- Overview of endoscopic equipment
- Basic handling and navigation techniques
- Patient safety and hygiene principles
- Common beginner mistakes and tips
9:00-9:10 Discussion
9:10-9:30 Coffee break
9:30-11:30 Telecommunication Endoscopic Center - Experimental Operating Room
Hands-on: Gastroscopy
11:30-12:30 Lunch break
12:30-14:30 Telecommunication Endoscopic Center - Experimental Operating Room
Hands-on: Colonoscopy
Hall 4 “Louis Pasteur”, Faculty of Pharmacy
8:30-10:00 Plenary Session for Healthcare Professionals 1
Moderators: Nadezhda Hinkova, Chavdar Tsvetkov, Nikolai Popov
8:30-8:50 Challenges of da Vinci 5 for the Operating Room Nurse
Kameliya Ilieva
UMHAT “Sveta Marina” – Pleven
Medical University – Pleven
8:50-9:10 Complications in Robot-Assisted Thoracic Surgery. Role of the Anesthesia Nurse/Midwife
Desislava Genova
UMHAT “Sveta Marina” – Pleven
9:10-9:30 Intraoperative Complications: Early Recognition and Response – A Nursing Perspective
Pavlina Radoeva
UMHAT “Sveta Marina” – Pleven
9:30-9:50 Specifics of Complications in Robotic Surgery – Organizational and Technical Aspects
Ema Tsvetanova
UMHAT “Sveta Marina” – Pleven
9:50-10:00 Discussion
10:00-10:30 Coffee break
10:30-12:20 Plenary Session for Healthcare Professionals 2
Moderators: Dimitar Stoykov, Vladislav Dunev, Stefan Buzalov
10:30-10:50 Complications in Urological Surgery and Preparation of the Operating Room Nurse for Their Management
Petranka Valcheva, Evanichka Zagorska, Ivanka Stoitsova
10:50-11:10 Prevention of Complications in Minimally Invasive Surgery – The Role of the Operating Room Nurse
Nikol Kacheva
UMHAT “Sveta Marina” – Pleven
11:10-11:30 Analysis of Awareness among Women Regarding Oncological Diseases of the Female Reproductive System
N. Fahretin¹, T. Popova², E. Petkova²
¹Medical University – Pleven, Student Midwife
²Medical University – Pleven, Faculty of Healthcare, Department of Midwifery Care
11:30-11:50 Robot-Assisted Lung Surgery – Role of the Nurse in Postoperative Patient Care
Petya Sevdalinova
UMHAT “Sveta Marina” – Pleven
11:50-12:10 Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for Precision Obstetric Care
Natashka Andreeva, Elica Petkova
Department of Obstetric Care, Medical University – Pleven
12:10-12:20 Discussion
16:50-17:00 Closing of the Conference
17:00-17:30 BAMIRS’ Board’s Meeting
