A Paediatric Surgery Essentials Workshop: Little Gut, Big Skills: A Review
by Gan Geyee, Organising Chairperson of Little Gut, Big Skills 2025, Malaysian Students’ Surgical Society (MSSS)
Subang Jaya, 9th September 2025 – The Malaysian Students ’ Surgical Society (MSSS), in collaboration with Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) and endorsed by the Malaysian Association of Paediatric Surgery (MAPS), successfully launched the Paediatric Surgery Essentials Workshop: Little Guts, Big Skills (LGBS) on 6th September 2025. This landmark student-led initiative brought together 60 undergraduate medical students across Malaysian universities, establishing a vital platform for the next generation of surgeons and healthcare professionals while spotlighting paediatric surgery.
Opening Ceremony and MoU Signing
LGBS commenced with opening remarks by the Organizing Chairperson, Ms. Gan Geyee; the MSSS President, Ms. Praveena Vijaya Devan; and the Vice President of MAPS, Professor Dr. Shireen Anne Nah Han Yien. We were deeply honored by the presence of Professor Dato ’ Dr. Kandasami Palayan, Advisor to MSSS, as the Guest of Honour.
A highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the MSSS and the College of Surgeons, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia (CSAMM). The agreement was signed by Professor Dr. Liew Ngoh Chin, President of CSAMM, and Ms. Praveena Vijaya Devan, President of MSSS, and was witnessed by Professor Dr. Shireen Anne Nah Han Yien, Senior Vice President of CSAMM, and Ms. Radha Sai, Honorary Vice Secretary of MSSS. This MoU marks a monumental step towards strengthening student involvement in surgical education and fostering collaboration in advancing the surgical field in Malaysia.
Academic Highlights
The programme began with a keynote lecture, “ Unfolding the First Chapter: Understanding Paediatric Colorectal Conditions ”, delivered by Dr. Chin Yen Ming (Paediatric Surgeon, Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar, Seremban), covering congenital colorectal anomalies including anorectal malformations (ARM) and Hirschsprung disease.
This was followed by a forum titled “Beyond Childhood: Lifelong Care in Congenital Colorectal Diseases ”. The session addressed critical aspects of long-term management, including the Bowel Management Programme (BMP), transitional care for adolescent patients, and the surgical management of adults with congenital colorectal anomalies. Esteemed panellists included: Dr. Quah Soong Yuen (Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, Subang Jaya Medical Centre), Dr. Tan Yew Wei (Consultant Paediatric Surgeon and Senior Lecturer, Universiti Malaya), and Dr. Nora Abdul Aziz (Consultant Colorectal Surgeon and Senior Lecturer, Universiti Malaya). The discussion emphasised the importance of continuity of care, cross-specialty collaboration, and the need for structured transitional care services.
Hands-on Workshops
The practical component began with a basic suturing skills workshop, where participants practiced fundamental techniques, including knot tying, simple interrupted, simple continuous, vertical, and horizontal mattress sutures, using bananas as skin simulators.
The afternoon was dedicated to a paediatric stoma workshop. The session commenced with an introductory lecture by Dr. Quah Soong Yuen, covering the types of stoma, as well as the indications, techniques, and complications of stoma creation in children. This was followed by a step-by-step demonstration on stoma creation and reversal, led by Dr. Tan Yew Wei and facilitated by Dr. Quah Soong Yuen, Dr. Chin Yen Ming, and Dr. Nora Abdul Aziz. Participants engaged in hands-on practice using an innovative simulated model constructed with goat skin and porcine intestine, designed by the Organizing Chairperson, Ms. Gan Geyee, to closely replicate operative conditions.
Impact and Reflections
LGBS was met with highly positive feedback; participants expressed that the experience enhanced both their technical skills and their understanding of the broader challenges in paediatric surgical care. Beyond skill acquisition, Little Guts, Big Skills successfully fostered a spirit of collaboration, curiosity, and community among medical students from diverse backgrounds.
This initiative exemplified budding student-led initiatives and their role in shaping the surgical education landscape in Malaysia. By bridging knowledge, skills, and networking opportunities, LGBS aims to instill interest and inspire future surgeons while contributing to the continued advancement in paediatric surgery.
