The international gynaecological endoscopy community has lost one of its most respected pioneers.
With deep sadness, the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) announced the passing of Dr. Stephan Gordts, Honorary Member of the ESGE, visionary surgeon, researcher, educator, and one of the leading figures in reproductive medicine and minimally invasive surgery.
Dr. Gordts passed away on May 22, 2026, leaving behind an extraordinary scientific and human legacy that profoundly shaped generations of surgeons and fertility specialists worldwide.
A Pioneer in Reproductive Medicine
Dr. Stephan Gordts played a fundamental role in the development of reproductive medicine in Belgium and internationally. In 1983, he contributed to the birth of the first IVF baby in Belgium, marking a historic milestone in assisted reproductive technology.
Only one year later, in 1984, he founded the Leuven Institute for Fertility & Embryology (LIFE), where he remained Scientific Director throughout his career.
His vision extended far beyond conventional fertility treatment. Throughout decades of research and innovation, he continuously sought to improve patient care through science, technology, and minimally invasive approaches.
Innovation in Endoscopic Surgery
Among his most recognised contributions was the development and worldwide dissemination of transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy, an innovative technique that revolutionised the visualisation and evaluation of reproductive anatomy.
Thanks to this technique, Dr. Gordts became the first physician to directly visualise and document the beauty and complexity of the normal ovulatory process.
His work contributed not only to scientific advancement, but also to a more refined understanding of reproductive physiology and minimally invasive fertility surgery.
A Teacher Who Inspired Generations
Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. Gordts will be remembered as a mentor and educator of exceptional generosity.
The microsurgery courses he organised in Leuven during the late 1970s became internationally renowned, attracting physicians eager to learn advanced surgical techniques in an environment driven by precision, curiosity, and innovation.
Training and education were central pillars of his life.
He believed that knowledge should be shared openly, patiently, and without hesitation.
This philosophy made him not only an extraordinary surgeon, but also an inspiring teacher whose influence extended far beyond the operating room.
A Lasting Contribution to ESGE
Dr. Gordts remained deeply involved within the ESGE community throughout his career, contributing as:
- mentor
- expert
- researcher
- speaker
- scientific innovator
In recognition of his lifelong contribution to gynaecological endoscopy and reproductive surgery, he was awarded the prestigious Honorary Membership of ESGE in 2024.
With more than one hundred scientific publications and decades of commitment to international education and research, his impact on modern gynaecological surgery is immeasurable.
More Than a Surgeon
Those who had the privilege to know Dr. Gordts remember not only his extraordinary expertise, but also his humanity.
He was admired for his warmth, kindness, vision, and unwavering dedication to both patients and colleagues.
As beautifully expressed by his close friend and colleague Dr. Rudi Campo:
“Our community has lost its Gentleman and a Gentle Man.”
This sentence perhaps captures his essence better than any curriculum vitae ever could.
His Legacy Lives On
The influence of Dr. Stephan Gordts continues through:
- the scientific advances he helped create
- the surgeons he trained
- the patients whose lives he transformed
- and the generations of doctors inspired by his example
His passing deeply affects the international endoscopic community, but his teachings, vision, and humanity will remain part of the foundations of modern reproductive and endoscopic surgery.
The GESEA and ESGE communities join colleagues around the world in expressing heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, collaborators, and all those who had the honour of sharing part of their journey with him.
His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of gynaecological surgeons.
📍 GESEA Training Center – AOU Federico II of Naples
Building 9 – Ground Floor
Via Pansini, 5 – 80131 Naples, Italy
📞 +39 081 878 05 64
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📧 contact@geseanapoli.com