Introduction to the WSRM 2015 Scientific Paper Issue

More than a year has passed since the gathering of our global microsurgical community was held in Mumbai, India in March, 2015. The theme of the meeting was “Looking Back and Surging Ahead.” Special recognition needs to go to Raja Sabapathy, Samir Kumta, Rajendra Nehete, and Vinita Puri for organizing a spectacular scientific program, and social events that fostered the creation of new relationships and rekindling of friendships within our microsurgical community. The attention to detail regarding the meeting planning and execution resulted in an outstanding outcome. I can honestly say that I am not surprised based on the prowess of these highly respected leaders of microsurgical practice in India. The goal of the meeting was to recognize where we all had come from, and where the field might go in the next several decades. At the time of the meeting, we learned about the success of the first case of a hand transplant performed in India, and a few months later the world's first bilateral hand transplantation was performed on a child at my institution. The interface between microsurgery and transplantation is just one aspect of the future, which was highlighted in the meeting.

With close to 800 surgeons in attendance, this meeting represented a tipping point in the history of reconstructive microsurgery. It was a celebration of our accomplishments. It was a tribute to surgical science and reaffirmed the need for surgeons to meet face-to-face to describe their experience and exchange knowledge with respectful dialogue. It was an opportunity to showcase the talent and surgical innovation of our Indian colleagues who participated in panels, moderated scientific sessions, and shared with us the rich culture and karma of India.

This issue of the Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery provides many scientific highlights from the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (WSRM) meeting held in Mumbai. As an immediate past president of the WSRM, the important relationship of this journal to our global microsurgical society is reaffirmed. A special thanks goes to the publishers and Dr. Bernard Lee as editor for allowing the WSRM to document their place in microsurgical history. As time goes on we will always look back, but let's look ahead to a bright future and an ever expanding world under the microscope.