Endocrine surgery has undergone remarkable innovation in recent decades, leading to improved clinical outcomes, enhanced visualization, and reduced complications. Today, surgeons have access to a broad range of minimally invasive approaches for thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal procedures — including TOETVA, BABA, and transaxillary techniques, performed with or without robotic assistance.  Advancements in energy-based vessel sealing and neuromonitoring systems have significantly improved intraoperative safety, allowing earlier detection of nerve dysfunction and helping reduce the risk of complications.

Meanwhile, optical and molecular imaging techniques are transforming the way we visualize and preserve critical structures. Methods such as auto-fluorescence, targeted dye-based fluorescence, and laser speckle contrast imaging are being developed to localize parathyroid glands, assess tissue perfusion, and identify nerve structures and malignant nodules in real time.

Complementary to these advances, non-surgical ablative therapies—including radiofrequency, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), and laser ablation—are gaining traction as alternatives or adjuncts to conventional surgery for managing benign or hyperfunctional lesions.

Looking ahead, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic automation promises to redefine the future of endocrine and neuroendocrine surgery. AI-driven image analysis, decision support, and robotic precision are paving the way toward autonomous, data-guided, and personalized interventions—enhancing surgical accuracy and enabling new levels of safety and consistency.

In this context, we are pleased to invite you to participate in the 8th Symposium on Parathyroid Fluorescence (SPF) and Annual ISITES 2026 Meeting “Future Technologies for Endocrine Surgery: Neuroendocrine, AI, and Future Robotic Surgery” to be held March 11–13, 2026, in Washington, D.C., USA.

This meeting will bring together surgeons, engineers, and scientists at the forefront of technological innovation to discuss emerging trends in fluorescence-guided surgery, non-surgical ablation, AI-based image analytics, and next-generation robotics.

We look forward to an inspiring exchange of ideas and collaborations that will shape the "Future of Endocrine Surgery."