Pakistan’s voice in oral surgery earns global spotlight at ACOMS 2026

At a time when oral cancer continues to pose a major clinical challenge worldwide, new ideas in diagnosis and surgical decision-making are gaining attention on global academic platforms. Against this backdrop, Pakistan’s presence at the 17th Asian Congress of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ACOMS 2026) in Hong Kong stood out through a focused academic contribution that placed innovation in oral oncology under the spotlight.

The Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) highlighted the participation of Prof. Dr. Shahjahan Katpar, Professor and Head of the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, as the sole representative from Pakistan at the international congress. His participation reflected not only individual academic engagement but also the broader participation of Pakistani institutions in global surgical discourse.

Prof. Katpar presented a research paper titled “Breaking Silos and Future Directions in Oral Malignancy Clinical Cancer, by promoting Frozen Section, an underutilized Technique to replace Incision Biopsy: A New Proposal from Pakistan.” The presentation proposed a rethinking of diagnostic pathways in oral cancer, particularly advocating the use of frozen section techniques as a potential alternative to conventional incision biopsy in selected clinical settings.

The concept, as discussed at the congress, is aimed at improving diagnostic speed, enhancing accuracy in intraoperative decision-making, and potentially streamlining treatment planning for oral malignancy cases. While still requiring further validation and broader clinical evaluation, the proposal contributed to ongoing global discussions on refining cancer diagnostics.

During the event, Prof. Katpar also engaged with leading international experts in the field, including Prof. Mike Leung, President of ACOMS; Prof. Rui Fernandes, President of IAOMS (USA); and Prof. Tetsu Takahashi, Executive Director of AAOMS (Japan). These interactions underscored the importance of collaborative academic exchange in advancing surgical innovation across borders.

Beyond presenting research, discussions at the congress also reflected broader ambitions to strengthen regional academic engagement. Prof. Katpar expressed interest in exploring the possibility of hosting a future Asian Congress of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in Pakistan, a move aligned with efforts to enhance the country’s visibility in global surgical education networks.

Oral cancer remains a significant health concern in many parts of the world, particularly in regions with high-risk populations. In this context, advancements in diagnostic approaches and surgical planning continue to play a critical role in improving patient outcomes.

Pakistan’s participation at ACOMS 2026, though represented through a single academic voice, highlighted an ongoing shift — where emerging research contributions are increasingly finding space in international scientific dialogue, reinforcing the importance of sustained academic engagement in global healthcare innovation.