The Federation of the European Societies for Surgery of the Hand: old new challenges

Abstract

‘At sunset in July 1989 an opening ceremony took place…’ This is the beginning of a beautiful and historic article published by Professor Steven Hovius in the Journal of Hand Surgery (British) in 2002. After reporting the story of the foundation of the Federation of the European Societies for Surgery of the Hand (FESSH), Professor Hovius presented the early achievements of the first decade of its life and the expected challenges for the future: standards for accredited training centres, collaboration between orthopaedic and plastic surgery, a more European ‘flavour’ in The Journal of Hand Surgery, new bylaws, accreditation of the examination as a European Diploma, and Internet and online resources. He finished with a very clear statement: ‘I believe strongly in FESSH. FESSH is here to stay’.