The XXXI Panamerican Congress of Trauma, Critical Care and Emergency Surgery and XLIV Congreso Nacional Avances en Cirugia in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, from August 15th to 17th, 2018, were a big success. Counting with more than 1600 attendees, the event brought up wonderful scientific content, lots of discussions and hot topics in Trauma, Critical Care and Emergency Medicine. Many leaders from the entire American continent were present, enriching the discussions and stimulating participants to share their questions and opinions. Those interactive sessions were certainly the paramount of the Conference but not limited to this. Pre-courses, Scientific papers competitions, consensus / protocols sessions made this event a complete and remarkable Congress.

For the School of Medical Sciences (SMS) of University of Campinas (Unicamp), the Panamerican Trauma Congress (PTS) was even more special. Prof. Sandro Rizoli, former student and resident of Unicamp is the current President of the Society, and performed a tremendous presidential speech. Prof. Rizoli, who has worked at University of Toronto for the last 25 years, pointed out important ideals for a better medicine and a better living community.

Unicamp was also represented by Dr. Bruno M. Pereira, Assistant Surgeon of Division of Trauma Surgery and current President of the World Society of the Abdominal Compartment (WSACS), addressing a consensus conference on innovations in Intra-Abdominal Hypertension. Dr. Pereira presented judging papers and resident oral competitions besides participating in an interesting discussion on penetrating neck trauma management. Dr. Pereira received a public recognition award from the Panamerican Trauma Society for his membership and dual cooperation with the WSACS.

The 4th Year, Division of Trauma Resident Dr. Vitor F. Kruger also went there and had the opportunity to meet with world renowned trauma surgeons and learn directly from them.

A lot is about to come. On the next Panamerican Trauma Congress that will happen in Chile on 2019, another Brazilian will take the leadership of the Society. Dr. Antonio Marttos, eradicated in Miami is the new President-Elect of the Society and will host the 2020 PTS Congress in Brazil. The Coordinator of the Division of Trauma Surgery of SMS - Unicamp and past PTS President (2014-2015), Prof. Gustavo P. Fraga, was nominated as member of Executive Committee, and will work with Brazilian Trauma Society (SBAIT - http://www.sbait.org.br/en) to organize the 2020 combined PTS and SBAIT Congress. Let’s wait for this amazing event to happen.