International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand

International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand This Supplement is a unique venture for the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand. It provides a medium of expression for hand surgeons throughout the world, especially those from non-English-speaking countries . Its publication is timely since the Second International Congress, conducted under the auspices of the International Federation, will be held in Boston in October 1983. The representatives of nearly 30 national and regional hand surgery societies, representing approximately 70 countries, will gather for this event. The International Federation is indeed grateful to Dr. Richard J. Smith and his colleagues from the American Society for Surgery of the Hand for their excellent organization and enthusiasm in creating this memorable Congress. The International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand is only 17 years old, being founded in 1966 by eight foundation member societies: American Society for Surgery of the Hand, British Club for Surgery of the Hand, Deutschsprachige Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Handchirurgie, Groupe d 'Etude de la Main (France), Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand, Scandinavian Hand Club, Sociedade Brasileira de Cirugia da Mano, and Societa Italiana di Chirugia della Mano. The first Secretary-General was Dr. Arthur Barsky from New York , who died only recently in 1982 . The constitution of the Federation was drawn up at the inception of the Federation and was revised in 1972. In the last two decades there has been an explosion in the development of hand surgery . This expansion has touched on every facet of this subspecialty . New procedures and techniques have emerged, yet many of the old methods have been retained and consolidated, although sometimes modified. A natural parallel with this development has been the increased number of hand surgeons worldwide, which has ensured the continued progress of hand surgery. One of the Federation's greatest responsibilities is the encouragement of specialized training in hand surgery and the dissemination of knowledge in this field. The objectives of the Federation were stated clearly in its foundation constitution: "This Organization is formed for the purpose of co-ordinating the activities of the various Societies for Surgery of the Hand throughout the world and, in this way, to increase and spread knowledge of surgery of the hand. Its chief purpose shall be: (I) to co-ordinate the activities by maintaining liaison between the various Societies, (2) to promote the free and full exchange of knowledge among the constituent organizations , (3) to improve and widen the opportunity for study and observation in the various countries. (4) to establish and recommend the adoption of certain standards of nomenclature , classification of malformations and disability evaluation, (5) to promote a bibliography of the world literature on surgery of the hand . " After revision of the constitution in 1972 , further amendments were made in 1983 to accommodate the expanding activities of this International Federation. The International Federation has been fortunate to have had three active secretary-generals in its l7-year history. Dr.

Arthur Barsky was followed by Mr. Graham Stack from England and Dr. Alfred B. Swanson from the United States . They have guided the Federation from its humble beginning to a strong and vigorous international group with rapidly rising membership, now more than 6000 strong . The Federation has been active in the establishment of committees. It continues to organize leadership in all areas of disorders of the hand. The findings of some of these committees , which hopefully will establish international standards, are published in this issue. The governing body of the Federation resides in its Council of Delegates, one delegate representing each affiliated society . The two office bearers of the Society are the president and the secretary-general. The presidents of the Federation have been Erik Moberg (1968-69), Guy Pulvertaft (1970-71) , Raoul Tubiana (1972-73), Dieter Buck-Gramcko (1974-75) , Tatsuya Tajima (1976-77), Graham Stack (1978-80), and Bernard 0 'Brien (1980-83). Alfred Swanson will become the new president of the Federation and Robert M. McFarlane from Canada, the fourth secretary-general. The annual business meeting of the Federation is usually held during the annual meeting the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. However, the world congresses are providing the opportunity for additional meetings of the office bearers of the Federation. The membership list of the Federation is being revised by the Secretary-General. It was first established by Dr. H. G. Stack in 1973 and revised again in 1977 . There has been in the last 6 years a significant increase in the membership of the affiliated hand surgery societies of the Federation. The financial subscription of the Federation has been kept at a low level for many years and it is expected that this will be maintained, although some marginal increase may be required to accommodate the increasing number of activities of the Federation and also its secretariat. The various secretary-generals have provided much time and personal subsidy of the secretariat, a situation that should not be allowed to continue. It remains the responsibility of countries with highly developed hand surgery systems to assist as far as possible those countries where hand surgery is little developed and that are anxious for assistance , including books, journals, and instruments . Hand surgery societies in countries more fortunately placed are requested to give the maximum assistance. The First World Congress in Hand Surgery was held in June 1980, in Rotterdam, under the patronage and in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands. This Congress, organized by Drs. Swanson and Jacques van der Meulen with the cooperation of the Netherlands Society for Hand Surgery, was attended by more than 500 hand surgeons. It filled a long-standing aspiration of the Federation and enabled hand surgeons of the world to mix freely with important exchange of information and the establishment of friendships . In addition to the Second World Congress to be held in Boston, the Federation participated in International Surgical Week held in Hamburg in September 1983 . This international surgical gathering was the meeting of THE JOURNAL OF HAND SURGERY

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The Journal of HAND SURGERY

Introduction

a number of international surgical societies under the umbrella of the International Society of Surgery (Societe Internationale de Chirurgie). International Surgical Week will be held again in Paris, Sept. I to 5, 1985, and the contribution of the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand will be organized by Groupe d 'Etude de la Main. In 1985, the Australian Hand Club will organize the Federations's activities in International Surgical Week to be held in September in Sydney, Australia. In 1986, the Third World Congress of the International Federation will take place in Japan. Thus the International Federation can be seen to be increasingly active in many areas of the world. The Federation will continue to improve standards in hand surgery, to encourage

the training of hand surgeons, and to stimulate research into many of the problems that confront the hand surgeon today. These areas include a better understanding of congenital abnormalities and their cause and the prevention of trauma involving the hand, still the commonest of all industrial injuries. This must involve the interest of governments and other semiofficial organizations. The hand surgeon in his professionallife assists daily in that task. The International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand derives its strength from the support of every hand surgeon. Bernard McC. O'Brien, C.M.G., B.Sc., M.D., M.S., F.R.C.S., F.R.A.C.S., F.A.C.S. President of the Federation

The Federation, the Congress, and the First International Journal Supplement Demonstrations of international goodwill and the desire to openly communicate and share information are exemplified by the membership of the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand. Much of the early interest in hand surgery stemmed from a small number of senior hand surgeons who were willing to teach their knowledge and methods to others. Hand societies were being developed around the world to meet the needs of newly trained specialists. The American Society for Surgery of the Hand, formed in 1946, became a focus for much of this activity. A corps of friends whose bond was hand surgery developed around the world. Hand surgeons were meeting at international conferences with their foreign peers and arranging informal gatherings. A number of formal international seminars on hand surgery were developed in the early 1960s. Dr. Martin Entin's International Conference on Hand Surgery held in Montreal and Dr. Ramsay Straub's Conference in New York in 1964 were important examples. The stimulating experience of sharing experiences and information with foreign colleagues further encouraged a dialogue for the development of an international society. The many discussions on the need for a federation of hand societies resulted in the scheduling of an organizational meeting in Chicago, Jan. 20, 1966. It was held during the annual convention of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, with its President, Dr. Arthur Barsky, presiding. Surgeons in attendance included Zancolli, from Argentina; Millesi, from Austria; Pernet, from Brazil; Entin, from Canada; Capner, Harrison, Patterson, and Stack, from Britain; Mallek, Michon, and Tubiana, from France; Bonola, Mancini, Morelli, and Operti, from Italy; Morotomi and Saito, from Japan; Carstam, Isaakson, and Skoog, from Sweden; Verdan, from Switzerland; Barsky, Boyes, Curtis, Kaplan, Riordan, and Swanson, from the United States; and Buck-Gramcko, from West Germany. The charter and organization of the International Federation were developed at that meeting. Arthur Barsky was

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Fig. 1. Organizers of the First International Congress of the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand, in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, June 16 to 20, 1980, were Jacques van der Meulen, Host-Chairman; Alfred B. Swanson, United States, Secretary-General; and Bernard McC. O'Brien, Australia, President.

elected Presiding Officer and Secretary-General. Eight societies were accepted, and their delegates were identified: Stack for Britain, Buck-Gramcko for West Germany, Tubiana for France, Morotomi for Japan, Carstam for Scandinavia, Pernet for Brazil, Bonola for the Italian Society, and Barsky for the United States. The original charter was drawn up in