International Society for the Perioperative Care of Patients with Obesity (ISPCOP)
Members are physicians who are engaged in the practice of medicine dealing with surgical patients with obesity, and non-physicians who are involved in the perioperative care of these individuals.
Our members are globally connected in sharing ideas, knowledge, and expertise in the management of perioperative care of patients with obesity.
As the Co-Chair and Programme Lead for the Regional Obesity and Bariatric Anaesthesia Conference (ROBAC 2025), it is my privilege to welcome you to this meeting in Kuching, Sarawak on the weekend of 20 – 22 June 2025.
In addition to faculty from the Asia-Pacific, ROBAC 2025 is being planned as an opportunity to listen to some great talks and interact with our dynamic speakers coming to you all the way from North America, Europe, UK and Australia. We hope to see our delegates use this opportunity to meet old friends and former colleagues and make new connections and acquaintances.
The theme of ROBAC 2025 revolves around recent advances in Obesity, Sleep Medicine and Bariatric Anaesthesia. We have put together a programme with a nice mix of topics – all contemporary, most cutting edge and some even controversial!
The scientific content for this meeting has been developed in collaboration with a highly experienced group of educators, content experts and speakers- it is almost entirely based on previous delegate feedback from similar Obesity Anaesthesia meetings around the world. We hope that you will find the conference content thought-provoking, clinically relevant, stimulating and rewarding.
ROBAC 2025 also brings together three of the premier Obesity Anaesthesia associations- ISPCOP (International Society for the Perioperative Care of the Obese Patient), the UK-based SOBA (Society for Obesity and Bariatric Anaesthesia) and ESPCOP (European Society for the Perioperative Care of the Obese Patient). We envision that ROBAC 2025 will be the continuation of long-standing global partnerships between these Societies that share a common goal- improving the perioperative outcomes and safety of patients living with obesity.
I look forward to meeting you all in the beautiful city of Kuching, Sarawak.
Thank you and Welcome!
Naveen Eipe, MD
@NaveenEipe
Organising Co-Chair
Scientific Chair for the ROBAC 2025
Associate Professor and Clinical Lead Bariatric
Anesthesia, University of Ottawa, Canada
Dear friends and colleagues,
Warmest welcome to the second edition of Anaesthesia Patient Safety Symposium combined with Regional Obesity and Bariatric Anaesthesia Conference 2025 (APSS-ROBAC 2025), 20 – 22 June jointly organised by the Malaysian Society of Neuroanaesthesiology and Neurocritical Care (MSNACC), Persatuan Kakitangan Anestesiologi Hospital Umum Sarawak- PEKA-HUS (The Association of Staffs in Anaesthesiology of Sarawak General Hospital), Anaesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), International Society for the Perioperative Care of Patients with Obesity (ISPCOP), Society for Obesity and Bariatric Anaesthesia (SOBA), UK; Society for Neuroscience in Anaesthesiology and Critical Care (SNACC) and Singapore Society of Anaesthesiologists (SSA).
Following the successful organisation of the inaugural virtual APSS 2023, the physical APSS 2025 aim to deliver general and essential topics related to anaesthesia patient safety with a highlight on 'Safety and Quality in Neuroanaesthesia and Neurocritical Care'. The two-day concurrent track focuses on obesity, sleep medicine and bariatric anaesthesia. To our knowledge, ROBAC 2025 is the only conference to be held in the country and possibly in this region dedicated to promoting excellence in the perioperative care of patients with obesity presenting for bariatric and non-bariatric surgeries.
APSS-ROBAC 2025 will bring together global and local leaders and practitioners in their respective fields which will promise a great platform for academic discussion as well as networking. Don't forget to explore the sights, sounds and tastes of Kuching too, as Kuching has so much to offer to its guests.
Thank you!
Peter Tan MD, MMed
Organising Chairperson
Consultant Neuroanaesthesiologist,
Miri Hospital, Sarawak
President, MSNACC, Malaysia
Welcome to Kuching, Malaysia, and welcome to a transformative experience where knowledge meets excitement, and collaboration knows no bounds!
We are incredibly proud and excited to welcome our attendees, prospective attendees, enthusiastic experts, learners and supporters. As we gather against the beautiful backdrop of Kuching, Malaysia, we extend a warm invitation to gather, learn and collaborate with some of the world leaders in perioperative patient safety, neuroanaesthesia and bariatric anaesthesia. Nestled in the heart of Kuching, Malaysia, our in-person meeting offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich cultural tapestry of this enchanting city while delving into the latest advancements in neuroanaesthesia and perioperative patient safety.
Our goal is to gather the world's experts in traumatic brain injury, optimal perioperative brain health, stroke and neuro-critical care as well as the leading voices in medication safety, challenges in innovative patient safety, and patient safety culture. The two day conference sets the stage for engaging discussions, guide best practices and invigorate new ways of delivering the best care. We envision an energetic platform to help us forge connections, drive innovation and cement a sustainable patient safety culture across diverse backgrounds and specialities.
Arney Abcejo, MD
Organising Co-Chair
Scientific Chair for the APSS 2025
Associate Professor of Anaesthesiology
Division Chair Neuroanaesthesia and Radiology,
Mayo Clinic, United States
The Background of APSS
The inaugural, virtual, two-day APSS 2023, 20 – 21 May was jointly organised by PEKA-HUS, Malaysian Society of Anaesthesiologists and College of Anaesthesiologists, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia. The Organising Committee was truly honoured to collaborate with ASPF and ASA in this project which was also supported by the World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists. APSS 2023 was the only conference held in the country and possibly in this region dedicated to education and learning of anaesthesia patient safety.
About ROBAC 2025
The perioperative care of patients with obesity presenting for bariatric and non-bariatric surgeries is challenging. There is increasing interest among the local and regional fraternity in this subspecialty of anaesthesia. Hence, it is timely to host the inaugural ROBAC 2025 targeting Malaysian and Asia-Pacific audiences which aims to promote excellence in clinical management and education in the care of this subgroup of patients.
APSS combined with ROBAC 2025
Besides general and essential topics related to anaesthesia patient safety, the APSS 2025 will also highlight 'Safety and Quality in Neuroanaesthesia and Neurocritical Care'. This combined meeting will have a two-day concurrent track for ROBAC 2025 focusing on obesity, obstructive sleep apnoea and bariatric anaesthesia. The APSS-ROBAC 2025 acts as an ideal platform to cover lectures related to quality and safety in the bariatric field.
