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As part of our ISDE 40th Anniversary celebration, you’ll read in upcoming months about each of the ISDE Congresses. This article summarizes the 7th and 8th ISDE World Congresses.

The 7th ISDE World Congress was held in Montreal, Canada, in September 1998 (Figure 1). It was presided over by Prof. Andre Duranceau (Figure 2), who was to become ISDE President and Editor of Diseases of the Esophagus in future years. The organizing committee included Drs. Mulder, Beauchamp, Boivin, Mayrand, Colas, and Langevin. Special lectures were delivered by a number of world-renowned experts including F.G. Pearson, N.W. Diamant, D.O. Castell, J. Dent, S.J. Spechler, and D. Liebermann-Meffert. Thirty-nice countries were represented among a total of 538 registrants. The program focused on benign esophageal disease, including the broad topics of idiopathic reflux, Barrett’s, motor disorderes, esophageal cancer, and quality of life (Figure 3). A number of ISDE members were treated to a tour of Prof. Duranceau’s “cabane a sucre” (sugar cabin), a small wood structure nestled within a forest of maple trees, where he and his family distilled maple syrup that was among the finest quality in the world.

The 8th ISDE World Congress took place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in September 2001. This was ISDE’s first foray into the Southern Hemisphere and its first congress in the new millennium (Figure 4). The Congress President was Prof Henrique Pinotti (Figure 5), and the ISDE President was Tom DeMeester (Figure 6). Prof. Pinotti detailed in his presidential address the extent of benign esophageal diseases in South America, including Chagas’ disease (20 million affected), schistosomiasis affecting 3 million in Brazil with a frequent consequence of esophageal varices, and 25% of the population experiencing GERD. Over 600 abstracts were submitted from 33 different countries. The Congress was very well attended, having a large contingent of Japanese registrants as well as numerous physicians from South America, particularly the host country, Brazil (Figure 7). The latter country contributed nearly 200 presentations including oral abstracts, posters, and videos.

Figure 1. The setting of the 7th ISDE World Congress in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Figure 2. Professor Andre Duranceau, 7th ISDE World Congress President.

Figure 3. The cover of the 7th ISDE World Congress program.

Figure 4. Cover of the program of the 8th ISDE World Congress.

Figure 5. Prof Henrique Walter Pinotti.

Figure 6. ISDE President Tom DeMeester making introductory remarks during the 8th ISDE World Congress. To his right are Professors Ide, Watanabe, and Pinotti.

Figure 7. Prof. Pinotti and guests (Mrs. Maruyama, Prof. Alberto Perrachia, Prof. Keiichi Maruyama) enjoying a reception during the 8th ISDE World Congress.