European Colorectal
Congress 2026
November 28th – December 2nd, 2026 – Registration opens on the 1st of March, 2026
Join us at
THE ECC!
Dear Colleagues
We are pleased to invite you to the 20th European Colorectal Congress taking place in St. Gallen from 28th November – 2nd December 2026.
20 years mean a lot, connecting surgeons around the world, keeping highest quality, renewal and nevertheless closest exchange to our top leading lecturer. This 20th ECC comes up with special offers as never before, new topics will be addressed, Translation will be offered in several languages, several prices to win including the new ECC Visting Fellowship. We invite you to come in teams with your residents, nurses and therapists.
ORGANISING AND SCIENTIFIC COMmITTEE
PD Dr. Walter Brunner
President
Head of Colorectal Surgery,
Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen
HOCH Health Ostschweiz
prof. Dr. bruno schmied
Scientific Committee
Head of Surgery,
Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen
HOCH Health Ostschweiz
prof. Dr. dieter hahnloser
Scientific Committee
Head of Colorectal Surgery,
University Hospital Lausanne
evelyne thür
Organising Committee
Congress Management,
Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen
HOCH Health Ostschweiz
This years main topics will focus on:
Malignancy
Stoma
Parastomal Hernia
Perineal hernia
Poster Award 2026
All accepted posters will be published in European Surgery again and presented during the Postersession 2026. Win your ECC Poster & Case report price and apply for the Springer award.
ECC international visiting fellowship
On the occasion of the 20th European Colorectal Congress we will start to offer an annual ”ECC Visiting Fellowship”. The aim is to intensify surgical training, gain impressions and improve networking and learning from each other. The fellowship is aimed at young surgeonswith a special interest in colorectal surgery and will be hosted by expert surgeons who
are part of the ECC Faculty.
ECC Education Village: Saturday 28th November – Sunday 29th November
After its great success in previous years, we are proposing the ECC’s educational village with the famous Proctology Day and the Masterclass in the form of interactive sessions. The IPS Meeting will be another focus this year. Furthermore, we will offer Hands-on-courses in Advanced colorectal laparoscopy (DavosCourse@ECC) and Transanal Surgery.
6th International Pilonidal Conference
The 6th International Pilonidal Conference will take place on 29 November 2026 in St. Gallen, Switzerland, alongside the European Colorectal Congress. Bringing together leading international experts, the conference offers a focused platform to discuss the latest research, surgical techniques, and treatment strategies in pilonidal disease. Join a global community dedicated to advancing care and innovation in this specialized field.
CARE SYMPOSIUM 2026: Monday 30th December – Tuesday 1st December
In 2024 we offered for the first time the new Care Symposium adressing all health professionals dealing with colorectal patients from nurses to therapists, physicans and surgeons. In 2026, we will further expand the Care Symposium, included will be the Care Symposium in the english language. Translation will be offered in several languages. More information to follow soon.
Main ECC Congress 2026: Monday 30th November – Wednesday 2nd December
The main congress will focus on lectures from the top shots in colorectal surgery on benign and malignant disease. Pro & Cons session and discussion rounds will give you the option for lively exchange with the experts. Furthermore, we include Honorary lectures from world famous colorectal surgeons.
Once again this year, we have scheduled Live Surgery on Wednesday, 2nd of December, as a highlight. Open, laparoscopic & robotic colorectal surgery and proctology will be broadcasted live from the operating theatre of the Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen and outside as well. Additional Video talks will be included. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about the procedures and discuss with the surgeons. Translation will be offered in several languages.
Legend’s corner
Again, you will have the chance to meet in person with legends of colorectal surgery during the main congress!
Following the success of last year’s event, we will again offer a hybrid platform that seamlessly brings together onsite and online attendees, allowing for even more interactions between participants.
The European Colorectal Congress has always brought together experts and participants from all over the world to exchange knowledge at the highest level and to transfer the newest techniques and results into daily practice.
We warmly welcome you to St. Gallen.
Read More …
Previous Congress
19th ECC 2025, Nov 29 – Dec 3, St. Gallen
Upcoming Congress
20th ECC 2026, Nov 28 – Dec 2, St. Gallen
Future Dates
21st ECC 2027, Nov 27 – Dec 1, St. Gallen
22nd ECC 2028, Dec 2 – Dec 6, St. Gallen