Application Period
Noon, Tuesday, February 17, 2026 – Noon, Thursday, April 23, 2026 (JST/GMT+9)
Application Eligibility
Foreign presenters and Co-speakers do not have to be members of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery (JATS).
For those who are interested in becoming JATS members, please contact the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery:
1F Teral Koraku Building, 2-3-27 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-0004, JAPAN
Phone: +81-3-3812-4253 Fax: +81-3-3816-4560
URL: http://www.jpats.org/
E-mail: jats-adm[A]umin[D]ac[D]jp( Please change [A] to @ and [D] to . )
Notes
- Presentations must be of original material and being presented for the first time.
- Once presentations are approved by the Program Committee, Copyright of the presentations will be assumed by the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery.
Submissions
1) Abstract Specifications
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title | Limited to 200 characters |
| Abstract Body | Limited to 2,000 characters |
| Figures and Tables | A single GIF or JPEG file no larger than 300KB (Portrait or landscape accepted; size will be reduced to approximately 6*4 cm). |
2) Confirmation of Submission
After submitting your abstract, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. You may use the submission link to view and modify your abstract at any time up until the abstract submission deadline.
3) Notification of Acceptance
The Program committee will carefully review all submitted abstracts, consider the reviews, and then make a final decision on which papers to select.
The first author will receive a notification of acceptance via email by the end of July.
The paper selection results will also be listed on the congress website.
Following the notification of acceptance, the first author must register for the 79th Annual Meeting, and abstracts can only be presented upon receipt of the registration fee.
Call for Primary Sessions
Cardiovascular Surgery
1) Symposium
The Next Generation of Heart Transplantation
- Outline
- Innovative approaches to heart transplantation—such as donation after circulatory death (DCD), beating heart transplantation, and combined organ transplantation—are rapidly gaining ground worldwide. In this symposium, we will welcome Dr. Akinobu Itoh from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dr. Joseph Woo from Stanford University, who will share the latest advances in DCD and beating heart transplantation, respectively. By exploring global trends and cutting-edge bench-to-bedside research, we aim to discuss the future direction of heart transplantation in Japan. We invite enthusiastic submissions that align with the theme and contribute to shaping the next era of cardiac transplant therapy.
2) Panel Discussion
Surgical strategies for congenital aortic valve disease
- Outline
- Aortic valve repair for congenital aortic valve disease, including autologous pericardial reconstruction and the Ozaki procedure shows favorable early outcomes. However, long-term durability remains a challenge that warrants discussion. In addition, we encourage institutions to share and discuss strategies for improving autograft durability in Ross procedures, optimal timing for surgical intervention, and technical innovations.
3) Panel Discussion
Advanced Surgical Strategies for High-Risk Patients with Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms
- Outline
- In this session, we will discuss indications and strategic approaches for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair in patients with multiple high-risk factors—such as age over 80, frailty, shaggy aorta, dialysis dependence, and reoperations. Experts from multiple institutions will share their perspectives, allowing for a multifaceted discussion.
We aim to contrast international trends with the current situation in Japan and examine which approach—open surgery, hybrid procedures, or conservative/palliative treatment—should be selected based on clinical evidence and real-world experience. The session will provide a platform for an in-depth discussion on how to manage these complex cases in contemporary practice.
4) Workshop
Reconsider Aortic Valve Surgeries related to LVAD
- Outline
- In aortic valve insufficiency under VAD circulation, quantitative assessment is challenging, leading to decisions on the necessity of aortic valve intervention being determined by institutional guidelines. The severity diagnosis and impact on hemodynamics differ from those in aortic valve insufficiency under physiological pulsatile circulation, rendering existing diagnostic criteria inapplicable.In this regard, aortic valve insufficiency under LVAD circulation can be considered a “new valvular disease.” That is, it requires a different perspective from existing aortic valve insufficiency. Furthermore, a history of treatment with Impella has been suggested to be associated with the onset or worsening of aortic regurgitation under LVAD circulation, and the treatment history leading up to LVAD further complicates the decision regarding intervention. For this “new valvular disease,” aortic valve repair, aortic valve reconstruction (including Park's stitch), and aortic valve replacement are selected based on institutional criteria. Here, we aim to re-evaluate LVAD-related aortic valve surgery from a surgical perspective, focusing on whether each procedure effectively controlled aortic regurgitation in the long term and whether there are differences between procedures.
Thoracic Surgery
1) Symposium
Treatment outcomes and clinical impact of the TNM classification 9th edition for thymic epithelial tumors
- Outline
- In 2025, the TNM classification for thymic epithelial tumors was revised for the first time and is now being used in clinical practice. Tumor size has been newly incorporated into the T factor, and phrenic nerve invasion and lung invasion, which were previously classified as T3, have been changed to T2. There has been no change in the staging logic, but the survival curves by disease stage and the suitable postoperative treatment may have changed. In addition, while many treatment results have been reported using the Masaoka classification, in the future, evidence of treatment based on the TNM classification will be required. In this symposium, we will discuss whether the treatment results and policies in each institutes, including whether the addition of the new TNM staging classification to the WHO histological classification, a traditional pathological prognostic factor, will have an impact on the treatment of thymomas, thymic carcinomas, and thymic neuroendocrine tumors.
2) Symposium
Contemporary Indications and Clinical Significance of Pneumonectomy in Lung Cancer
- Outline
- Recent advancements in non-surgical therapies for lung cancer—including high-dose radiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, immunotherapy, and molecular targeted agents—have led to an increased number of opportunities for salvage surgery. In many of these cases, pneumonectomy is required due to the extent and location of the residual disease. However, the clinical significance and optimal role of pneumonectomy in this setting remain controversial and are yet to be clearly defined. In addition, completion pneumonectomy is occasionally performed for complications arising from multimodal treatment, including medical, surgical, and radiation therapies. Given the marked decline in the number of pneumonectomies performed for lung cancer in Japan in recent years, it is timely and necessary to re-examine and discuss the contemporary indications and value of this procedure.
3) Panel Discussion
Shaping the Surgeon: Global and Domestic Fellowships That Made the Difference
- Outline
- In this session, we will focus on domestic and international study and fellowship experiences that have significantly influenced the careers of thoracic surgeons. Beyond clinical practice and basic research, the presentations will highlight multidimensional growth, including the development of clinical perspectives, research attitudes, and global outlooks. By sharing how insights gained through exposure to different cultures and healthcare systems have shaped the presenters’ current activities in clinical practice, education, and research, we aim to discuss the value of such cross-border experiences in nurturing the next generation of thoracic surgeons.
4) Panel Discussion
Salvage surgery for local recurrence after segmentectomy for lung cancer
- Outline
- Based on the results of the JCOG0802 and CALGB140503 trials, the proportion of segmentectomy for lung cancer surgeries in Japan is on an upward trend. However, local recurrence is more common after segmentectomy than after lobectomy. Therefore, it is essential to develop treatments for local recurrence and establish optimal treatment strategies for this condition. Surgical treatment for local recurrence is particularly technically challenging, and careful consideration is required when selecting surgical procedures and determining the feasibility of resection.
In this session, we invite you to share your treatment outcomes and strategies for local recurrence after segmentectomy, presenting practical approaches and innovations in salvage surgery for challenging cases. This will improve our understanding of the indications for and case selection in segmentectomy for lung cancer.
Call for Oral/Mini Oral Sessions
T. Cross-disciplinary
| 1 | T-1 | Cross-disciplinary/Combined cardiothoracic surgery (heart/aorta+α) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | T-2 | Cross-disciplinary/Combined cardiothoracic surgery (lung+α) |
| 3 | T-3 | Cross-disciplinary/Combined cardiothoracic surgery (esophagus+α) |
H. Heart
| 1 | H-1 | Acyanotic congenital heart disease |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | H-2 | Aortic arch anomaly/coarctation of aorta |
| 3 | H-3 | Hypoplastic left heart syndrome: HLHS |
| 4 | H-4 | Transposition of great arteries |
| 5 | H-5 | Miscellaneous cyanotic diseases |
| 6 | H-6 | Long-term issues/complications |
| 7 | H-7 | Adult congenital heart disease |
| 8 | H-8 | Heart failure in children |
| 9 | H-9 | Congenital heart disease others |
| 10 | H-10 | Valvular disease-aortic |
| 11 | H-11 | Valvular disease-mitral |
| 12 | H-12 | Valvular disease-tricuspid |
| 13 | H-13 | Valvular disease-pulmonary |
| 14 | H-14 | Valvular disease-combined |
| 15 | H-15 | Valvular disease-MICS/Robotics |
| 16 | H-16 | Valvular disease-TAVI/MitraClip |
| 17 | H-17 | Valvular disease-infective endocarditis |
| 18 | H-18 | Valvular disease-others |
| 19 | H-19 | Ischemic heart disease-CABG |
| 20 | H-20 | Ischemic heart disease-minimally invasive CABG |
| 21 | H-21 | Ischemic heart disease-complications of myocardial infarction |
| 22 | H-22 | Ischemic heart disease-others |
| 23 | H-23 | Aorta-type A dissection |
| 24 | H-24 | Aorta-type B dissection |
| 25 | H-25 | Aorta-protection of brain and spinal cord |
| 26 | H-26 | Aorta-aortic root |
| 27 | H-27 | Aorta-ascending/arch |
| 28 | H-28 | Aorta-descending |
| 29 | H-29 | Aorta-thoracoabdominal |
| 30 | H-30 | Aorta-infected aneurysm/graft infection |
| 31 | H-31 | Aorta-others |
| 32 | H-32 | Combined surgery (valve, coronary, aorta, etc.) |
| 33 | H-33 | Arrhythmia, pacemaker |
| 34 | H-34 | Surgery for atrial fibrillation |
| 35 | H-35 | Cardiac tumor |
| 36 | H-36 | Heart/heart-lung transplantation |
| 37 | H-37 | Implantable ventricular assist device |
| 38 | H-38 | Mechanical circulatory support-other |
| 39 | H-39 | Extracorporeal circulation |
| 40 | H-40 | Myocardial protection |
| 41 | H-41 | Perioperative management and complications |
| 42 | H-42 | Examination and diagnosis |
| 43 | H-43 | Basic science and experiment |
| 44 | H-44 | New surgical techniques |
| 45 | H-45 | Development and innovation |
| 46 | H-46 | Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering |
| 47 | H-47 | Others |
L. Lung
| 1 | L-1 | Lung cancer |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | L-2 | Pulmonary metastasis |
| 3 | L-3 | Mediastinum (thymic disease) |
| 4 | L-4 | Mediastinum (non-thymic disease) |
| 5 | L-5 | Pleura, Chest wall, Thorax, Diaphragm |
| 6 | L-6 | Trachea, Bronchus |
| 7 | L-7 | Pneumothorax, emphysematous or bullous pulmonary disease |
| 8 | L-8 | Inflammatory pulmonary diseases |
| 9 | L-9 | Benign pulmonary tumor |
| 10 | L-10 | Pediatric lung disease |
| 11 | L-11 | Minimally invasive approach (VATS, RATS, Uniport) |
| 12 | L-12 | Salvage surgery, Treatment for relapse, Oligometastasis |
| 13 | L-13 | Lung transplantation, Circulatory assist |
| 14 | L-14 | New surgical techniques, Innovation |
| 15 | L-15 | New surgical devices |
| 16 | L-16 | Perioperative management, Complications, High-risk operation |
| 17 | L-17 | Examination, Diagnosis |
| 18 | L-18 | Surgical pathology, Immunology, Oncology, Physiology |
| 19 | L-19 | Regenerative medicine |
| 20 | L-20 | Surgical education |
| 21 | L-21 | Multidisciplinary team care |
| 22 | L-22 | Patient safety |
| 23 | L-23 | Case report |
| 24 | L-24 | Others |
E. Esophagus
| 1 | E-1 | Esophageal malignancies |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | E-2 | Esophageal benign diseases |
| 3 | E-3 | Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma |
| 4 | E-4 | Esophagectomy and lymphadenectomy |
| 5 | E-5 | Esophageal reconstruction |
| 6 | E-6 | Minimally invasive surgery (thoracoscopy, mediastinoscopy) and robotic surgery |
| 7 | E-7 | Multidisciplinary treatment |
| 8 | E-8 | Conversion surgery |
| 9 | E-9 | Treatment for recurrent esophageal cancer |
| 10 | E-10 | Perioperative management and complications |
| 11 | E-11 | Surgical training |
| 12 | E-12 | Aortoesophageal fistula |
| 13 | E-13 | Surgical anatomy |
| 14 | E-14 | Genetics and molecular biology |
| 15 | E-15 | Pathology and experimental research |
| 16 | E-16 | Palliative treatment |
| 17 | E-17 | Esophageal cancer in elderly |
| 18 | E-18 | Multiple primary malignant tumors |
| 19 | E-19 | cT3br/T4 esophageal cancer |
| 20 | E-20 | Thoracic duct, supraclavicular lymph nodes (104) |
| 21 | E-21 | Spontaneous esophageal rupture (Boerhaave syndrome) |
| 22 | E-22 | Neoadjuvant chemotherapy / Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy |
| 23 | E-23 | Postoperative adjuvant therapy |
| 24 | E-24 | Esophagus-preserving therapy |
| 25 | E-25 | Definitive chemoradiotherapy, salvage surgery |
| 26 | E-26 | cStage IVb |
| 27 | E-27 | Radiation therapy |
| 28 | E-28 | Immune checkpoint inhibitors |
| 29 | E-29 | AI, liquid biopsy |
| 30 | E-30 | Stent graft |
| 31 | E-31 | Image diagnosis |
| 32 | E-32 | Simulation |
| 33 | E-33 | Medical cost reduction |
| 34 | E-34 | Others |
4) Presentation format
Information about presentation format and methodology requirements will be released in due course. These requirements are subject to change. Applicants are advised to check the website for the latest information.
Abstract Submission
Inquiries
Secretariat of the 79th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery
Japan Convention Services, Inc.
E-mail: jats2026[A]convention [D] co [D] jp ( Please change [A] to @ and [D] to . )