CLASSICA features at EAES Belgrade 2025
Belgrade, 17–20 June 2025 — The CLASSICA team participated in the 33rd International Congress of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) in Belgrade. The project was highlighted throughout the programme, with support from EAES partners Arjan Appel and Prof. Alberto Arezzo.
Conference presentations – 18 June 2025
Patrick Boland (UCD, Mater Hospital) delivered a presentation titled “Early Results from CLASSICA – A Multicentre Study Validating an AI-Based Method to Digitally Classify Cancer In-Situ in Significant Rectal Polyps.”
Co-authors included J. Cucek, S. Erzen, J. Knol, J. Burke, M. Mitteregger, F. Aigner, R. Hompes, J.B. Tuynman, A. Arezzo and R.A. Cahill.
Boland also presented findings from an international multicentre audit on transanal local excision practices for significant rectal polyps and early cancers.
Philip Mc Entee (UCD) presented related CLASSICA-associated work: “Clinical Deployment of Real-time AI Interpretation of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Angiography in Colorectal Surgery – AUGUR-AI.”
His presentation received the Karl Storz EAES Award.
CLASSICA Workshop – 19 June 2025
The CLASSICA team hosted a workshop chaired by Prof. Ronan Cahill, titled “AI and Rectal Cancer Surgery – An Update from the CLASSICA Project.” The programme featured lectures and a hands-on demonstration:
- Local excision for neoplasia – Jurriaan Tuynman (Netherlands)
- CLASSICA project – state of the future art – Ronan Cahill (Ireland)
- CLASSICA software – hands-on demo – Samo Erzen (Slovenia)
- AI and surgery – liability issues – Mindy Nunez Duffourc (Netherlands)
- Real-time AI anatomical recognition – Ludovica Baldari (Italy)
Around 35 participants attended, generating active discussion and interest.
Live surgery from Graz – 20 June 2025
The dissemination efforts culminated in the first live clinical demonstration of a transanal endoscopic rectal cancer resection, performed in Graz by Prof. Felix Aigner. This live case prompted enthusiastic debate about future applications of the technology.
Masterclass on Artificial Intelligence – 20 June 2025
Organised by Felix Nickel and Pietro Mascagni, Masterclass MC4 on AI included the live stream from Graz and concluded with a presentation by Prof. Ronan Cahill titled “Clinical Use of AI for Perfusion Assessment – Making CLASSICA.”
EAES 2025 Technology Corner
Throughout the congress, CLASSICA was also featured in the Technology Corner, providing additional opportunities for engagement with surgeons and industry stakeholders.
The EAES 2025 Congress marked a significant moment for CLASSICA — the first live surgical demonstration of the system outside of the project team and an important milestone in broader community outreach. The team extends its thanks to all partners, speakers and attendees who contributed to discussions on bringing AI into colorectal surgery.