We publish this edition of TheTrocar at a moment when the world is in the grip of profound and rapid change. Geopolitical tensions, shifting alliances, and the fracturing of long-standing multilateral norms remind us daily that the values of openness, collaboration, and shared knowledge are not givens — they must be actively defended and practised. The International Society for Gynecologic Endoscopy (ISGE) has always understood itself as a global community in the truest sense of that word: one that transcends borders, political affiliations, and economic disparities to place the advancement of women’s health and surgical education at its centre.

It is precisely in times like these that the mission of an inclusive scientific society matters most. When even major global players increasingly turn inward, ISGE chooses to turn outward — to expand its reach, to deepen its partnerships, and to ensure that evidence-based knowledge in minimally invasive gynaecological surgery remains freely available to clinicians everywhere, whether they practise in well-resourced academic centres or in settings where access to continuing medical education is hard-won. TheTrocar, as our fully open-access journal, embodies this commitment with every article, review, and case report it publishes.

A Society in Motion: Restructuring for the Future
ISGE is not standing still. Over the past year, our society has undergone significant internal restructuring — a process that is never painless but is always necessary for organisations that wish to remain relevant and effective. We have reviewed our governance structures, streamlined our committee framework, and invested in the digital infrastructure required to serve a membership that is increasingly global, mobile, and connected. Modernisation is not an end in itself; it is the means by which we protect and amplify the work that brought this society into existence more than three decades ago.

None of this is possible without you. Structural reform only acquires meaning when it is supported by an engaged community. We therefore call on every colleague who benefits from ISGE’s educational resources to consider deepening their involvement — whether by joining a committee, attracting an industry sponsor, taking on a voluntary role within the editorial workflow of TheTrocar, or simply by encouraging a colleague to become a member. Every contribution, however modest it may seem, strengthens the fabric of the organisation.

Publish with Us — Open Science for All
TheTrocar is designed to be a gateway — not a gate. Our open-access model means that a gynaecological surgeon in Algiers, Accra, or Almaty can read the same peer-reviewed evidence as a colleague at a European university clinic, at no cost to the reader. We are equally committed to lowering the barriers to authorship. For ISGE members, publication in TheTrocar is entirely free of charge. For non-members, a modest article processing fee of USD 250 is applied; this fee directly underwrites the voluntary work of our editorial board and reviewers, who give their time and expertise without remuneration. We are sincerely grateful for the growing number of submissions we have received and encourage every clinician, researcher, and trainee with a story to tell — a clinical series, a technique tip, a thought-provoking case — to submit their work to us.

We also warmly invite colleagues with expertise in gynaecological endoscopy, reproductive surgery, or related disciplines to join our growing panel of voluntary peer reviewers. Rigorous, constructive peer review is the cornerstone of scientific integrity, and the quality of our journal depends entirely on the generosity of those willing to share their critical expertise. If you are interested in contributing in this capacity, please contact our editorial office.

Algiers 2025 — The ISGE Family Gathers in North Africa
In May 2025, the ISGE annual congress will convene in Algiers, Algeria — a vibrant city and a powerful symbol of this society’s commitment to making world-class surgical education accessible across all continents. North Africa has a rich and distinguished tradition in medicine and surgery, and we are proud to bring our global community to this region. We look forward to the scientific programme, the hands-on workshops, and, above all, to the conversations and connections that only an in-person gathering can foster. We hope to see as many of you as possible in Algiers and encourage early registration.

In the spirit of all that ISGE stands for, we close with the wish that has opened every editorial we have written: good health and continued progress — for our patients, for our colleagues, and for the global community of minimally invasive gynaecological surgery.

Good health and progress
For the Editorial Board
Guenter Noé
Editor in Chief, TheTrocar
International Society for Gynecologic Endoscopy (ISGE)