As part of the Second International Congress of Emergency Surgery, a formal promotion of the textbook “Urgentna netraumatska abdominalna hirurgija” (Emergency Non-Traumatic Abdominal Surgery) was held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Sava Center.
This capital work represents the first contemporary textbook of its kind written in Serbian language and marks a massive leap forward for domestic professional literature and daily clinical practice.
Top-Tier Expert Team and Media Attention
The book was created on the initiative of professors from the Emergency Surgery Teaching Base of the Department of Surgery at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Medicine (MFUB), who are also the founders of the Serbian Association of Emergency Surgery (SUUH). Book Editors:
- Prof. Dr. Krstina Doklestić Vasiljev
- Prof. Dr. Zlatibor Lončar
- Prof. Dr. Pavle Gregorić
The fact that this is a work of the highest academic quality was further confirmed by the presence of three renowned reviewers, all full professors of surgery:
- Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Simić
- Prof. Dr. Vladan Živaljević
- Prof. Dr. Goran Stanojević
The national significance of this event was widely recognized. The promotion was covered by a television crew from Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), led by the well-known journalist Ana Stamenković, who has dedicated years to reporting on key topics within the Serbian healthcare sector.
A Word from the Editors: An Answer to Real Challenges in the Operating Room
Although rooted in centuries of general and military medical history, emergency surgery was officially defined as a distinct specialty only in 2003 by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) and the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons (ACS).
The idea for this complex book arose from a practical need to present fundamental, evidence-based principles in emergency surgery to our physicians in a unified format, in their native language.
Content and Multidisciplinary Approach
The book systematically addresses all acute abdominal conditions requiring surgical intervention, alongside contemporary treatment modalities. The content is organized into 36 chapters, divided into three key sections:
- Introduction to Emergency Surgery
- Patient Optimization
- Organ-Specific Pathology
Following modern educational concepts, the collaboration on the book was completely multidisciplinary. Among the 73 authors are leading domestic general surgeons, gastroenterologists, radiologists, anesthesiologists, gynecologists, urologists, and epidemiologists, alongside three globally recognized names from abroad:
- Prof. Dr. Fausto Catena (University of Bologna / Bufalini Hospital, Cesena, Italy)
- Prof. Dr. Federico Coccolini (Pisa University Hospital, Italy)
- Dr. Amr Ahmed (Chief of Robotic Surgery, Varisano Clinic, Frankfurt, Germany)
Note: Professors Catena and Prof. Coccolini are founders of the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) and editors of prestigious global literature in this field published by Springer.
Who Is the Book Intended For?
The textbook is primarily designed for the postgraduate training of physicians who encounter acute digestive tract pathologies in their practice:
- Surgical residents and specialists
- Anesthesiologists and radiologists
- Specialists in emergency medicine and related fields
“The book was written with the goal of helping colleagues when they find themselves treating an emergency surgical patient, particularly physicians working difficult night shifts. In those moments, the timeline of acute conditions is dynamic, and the surgeon and their team are expected to make life-saving decisions, displaying expertise and skill to save human lives. This book is not meant to serve as library decoration. It is intended to be a living companion for residents on their challenging path of learning and clinical work, as well as an advisor to experienced surgeons when faced with new, challenging, and unclear situations that accompany us until the end of our careers.
Editors“
How to Purchase Your Copy
The textbook “Urgentna netraumatska abdominalna hirurgija” is commercially available through the University of Belgrade. You can purchase your copy in person:
- Location: Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade (Bookstore / Scriptroom)
- Address: Dr. Subotića Street, Belgrade
Secure your copy of this indispensable manual and advisor for daily surgical practice in time!