The ISDS is one of the oldest specialised medical societies for dematorsurgery. Initially,  it met the professional demand for education and training in oncological dematorsurgery and skin cancer surgery until, from the 1990s onwards, the demand for education and training in aesthetic dematorsurgery was increasingly added. 

The ISDS was founded in 1978. For many years, the founding president and leading figure was Dr Perry Robins (New York), who was quickly able to gather a group of enthusiastic junior physicians around him, who then “took dermatosurgery out into the world”. Initially, the ISDS was the catalyst for the founding of many national medical societies for dermatosurgery. Today, these specialist societies themselves have become strong and independent and a form of co-operation has increasingly developed between the ISDS and them, which is particularly evident at the ISDS Annual Meetings.

What makes the ISDS special is the great friendship and solidarity among its members. Many of them are now world-renowned opinion leaders. The exceptionally benevolent atmosphere facilitates an unhindered exchange of valuable knowledge and expertise among ISDS members. That is essentially what it is all about.

The last meetings – we mention here 2022 in Thessaloniki (Greece) and 2023 in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) were truly outstanding. This year, the 43rd ISDS Annual Meeting will take place from 13-15 September 2024 in Taiwan (Kaohsiung City, southern Taiwan) and next year from 16-18 October 2025 in the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi. We are also already planning the coming years and are endeavoring to network interesting national specialist societies around the world with the ISDS.

Social attitudes

As doctors, we are used to helping people in need – regardless of their origin or religion.

Unfortunately, the world politics of the last few years has brought great suffering across the globe, and the vast majority of people hope that peace and prosperity can be re-established everywhere on earth. This requires a determined joint effort by all people who stand up for a world worthy of human beings and constructive coexistence.

ISDS fully supports the principles of the rule of law and human rights.

The ISDS firmly condemns racism.

The ISDS firmly condemns hatred of women (misogyny) and hatred of men.

The ISDS firmly condemns homophobia.

The ISDS strongly condemns terrorism.

The ISDS unequivocally condemns wars of aggression by one nation against another.

The ISDS recognises the right to defense.