HISTORY OF FESSH

The idea of a linking organization of all hand surgery societies in Europe stems from meetings of colleagues from different European nations on the basis of personal friend-ships, such as the Franco/German symposium for hand surgery in 1964 organized by Verdan under the patronage of the Swiss National Exhibition.

The International Federation of the Societies for Surgery of the Hand (IFSSH), created in 1966, grew fast from only 8 national societies in the beginning to 60 in 2020 and was an inspiration for the European ones to form an own Federation of the European Societies of the Hand (FESSH).

This dream became reality when Professor Caroli presented a draft proposal for a European Federation constitution in 1989 and subsequently, 15 representatives of nations met in Paris on the 11 February 1990 to advance the development of this linking organization. 13 Hand Societies had agreed the draft constitution with Norway and Sweden as observers. Since 1993 FESSH is holding its congresses every year with instructional courses.

The federation is still growing and today unifies the hand surgical societies of 29 European member countries. The principle objective purposes is still the promotion and harmonization of training throughout Europe, to define and provide qualifications and encourage exchange opportunities for younger hand surgeons as a part of their training. The Federation is led by Secretary General rather then a President, supported by a Treasurer and several committee chairs as council members.

Based on the text of S.E.R. Hovius: FESSH: Its Birth and Development – The First Decade

Video movies

FESSH History film – 30th Anniversary (20 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgKfxXY5MRc&list=PLNjfrJWxG4M5gHoHc5FKPBrRR87vJ8lBz&index=2

FESSH History film – 30th Anniversary (5 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsALxherzFM

FESSH Foundation Course 2024 Budapest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1Vi0HH8_l0&list=PLNjfrJWxG4M5CGEM4WiagCfAWcH8SPe9F&index=1

FESSH 2020 Online Week promo (1 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OREcDn_h9qk&list=PLNjfrJWxG4M5gHoHc5FKPBrRR87vJ8lBz&index=3

FESSH Congress 2017 Budapest (11 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqGO4RI–HI&list=PLNjfrJWxG4M7l_RBte4nS553YljAbo6OW&index=2

FESSH Congress 2017 Budapest (4 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUv5DhdXhGA&list=PLNjfrJWxG4M7l_RBte4nS553YljAbo6OW