April 14-17, 2010
Chair: Allan Okrainec, M.D.; Co-Chair: Brian Jacob, M.D.
Thursday, April 15, 2010 – 10:00am - 2:30pm
Friday, April 16, 2010 – 10:00am - 2:30pm
Saturday, April 17, 2010 – 10:00am - 1:00pm
The Learning Center is a set of educational classrooms where attendees can gain knowledge and practice skills relevant to minimally invasive surgery. Station coordinators instruct individuals and small groups on topics that range from basic instrumentation to advanced laparoscopic skills. Participants may visit one or more stations that address their educational objectives and spend whatever time is necessary to meet their learning objectives
Coordinator: Kai Matthes, MD, PhD
Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES™) is an emerging research area of minimally-invasive surgery. The development of new surgical procedures and devices can be simulated effectively in a training model. For the NOTES™ Station of the SAGES learning center, a novel ex-vivo simulator is used to provide a realistic training experience using commercially available laparoscopic and flexible endoscopic devices. The ex-vivo model consist of a complete porcine peritoneal cavity explant, which is harvested from the meat production industry, thoroughly cleaned, embalmed and modified to closely resemble human anatomy. Real tissue provides a realistic tactile feedback, which is essential to assess and train new techniques such as NOTES™. Laparoscopic surgeons without flexible endoscopic experience can learn how to operate a flexible endoscope and how to establish transgastric, transvaginal or transcolonic access in order to perform a peritoneal exploration. For the more advanced ‘digestivists’ with flexible endoscopic experience, organ resection (appendectomy, cholecystectomy, distal pancreatectomy, nephrectomy, liver lobe resection, hysterectomy, oophorectomy) or gastrointestinal anastomosis techniques (gastrojejunostomy, partial gastrectomy, colectomy) will be simulated.
At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to::
Coordinators: Gregg Kai Nishi, MD & Marina Kurian, MD
Single incision or single port access is emerging as an optional technique for entry into the abdominal cavity to perform a variety of different laparoscopic procedures. To date, there is dominantly-preferred entry method, but instead a variety of options exist that include using multiple trocars through a single skin incision or using one of many specially designed single port access devices. At this station, you will become familiar with both options. A variety of low-profile trocars that are routinely used in SILS will be available for use in an inanimate model. Additionally, you will be able to practice inserting and setting up a variety of single port access devices that are currently available for clinical use. By the end of your visit, you will be more familiarized with and more able to compare and contrast the different entry methods available to perform SILS operations.
At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
Coordinators: Brian Jacob, MD, Greg Dakin, MD, & Julio Texeria, MD
In conjunction with the SILS Entry methods Station, at this station participants will gain experience with the ability to perform single incisions procedures. The highlight of this station will be an opportunity to suture using single incision techniques in a trainer box and then to compare your skill to traditional laparoscopic suturing. Both straight instruments and articulating instruments will be compared. In addition, you will learn to insert liver and gallbladder retractors, and then practice performing different single incision tasks like suturing, running bowel, or dissecting. Participants will have the opportunity to use a variety of SILS instruments. In addition, at this station, experts in the various SILS procedures like lap adjustable gastric banding, gallbladder, colon, and hernia, will be showing videos that demonstrate their techniques and offer a unique one-on-one opportunity to learn and ask questions.
At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
Coordinator: Melina Vassiliou, MD
This station will introduce participants to the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) didactic and technical skills modules. FLS was designed to teach the physiology, fundamental knowledge, and technical skills required to perform basic laparoscopic surgery, and is a joint ACS ?SAGES program. Participants will use the interactive web-based format and the lap trainer boxes to become familiar with the program while working on their laparoscopic knowledge and skills. This station will also give new program directors the opportunity to have hands-on time with the module and to learn about the Covidien Educational Fund. At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
Coordinators: Brian Dunkin, MD & Ted Trus, MD
Come get hands-on experience in flexible endoscopy. This station will showcase the newly developed Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES) testing platform (the flexible endoscopy equivalent of FLS) - the first validated hands-on test for gastrointestinal endoscopic skills. FES will be loaded on a Simbionix virtual reality simulator for you to “test drive”. The station will also feature endoscopy training on real tissue using an explant model for mucosal banding, polypectomy, submucosal injection, clipping, and coagulation. Finally, video based education material is available to review the new SAGES flexible endoscopy hands-on training curriculum and preview the developing FES website.
This is your chance to practice your endoscopic skills with the help of expert proctors, or throw your hat into the ring to pit your skills against others in an FES shootout. The winner of the FES shootout will receive a SAGES Top 14 DVD video set.
At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
Coordinator: Adrian Park, MD, Yo Kurashima, MD, Gerald Fried, MD
The laparoscopic ventral hernia repair has become a very commonly performed procedure. Both virtual reality and box trainer hernia modules will allow participants to practice and become facile with this technique. This station will also feature new simulation models for laparoscipic inguinal hernia repair. Participants will gain experience with the steps of the procedures, as well as positioning and securing the mesh.
At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
Coordinators: Zoltan Szabo, PhD & Neal Seymour, MD
Participants receive intense hands-on suturing including intracorporeal techniques with instantaneous feedback. Laparoscopic tissue handling and complex suturing maneuvers will also be demonstrated. Virtual reality suturing simulators will be used to allow “virtual” suturing practice – no suture required, just a fancy videogame with needle driver handles instead of joysticks. Trainees will be able to compare their scores with established expert levels for both types of simulators.
At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
Coordinator: James “Butch” Rosser, MD
The Top Gun Laparoscopic Skill Shootout Station will allow participants to establish and enhance basic laparoscopic skills and suturing ability. All participants can gain skill advancement no matter their baseline. The station will feature the validated “Rosser TOP GUN” skill development stations developed by Dr. Rosser and made famous at Yale. To date, over 6000 surgeons have participated around the world. Instructors will show tactics and techniques that will transfer readily into the clinical environment. In addition, participants will be completing for slots in the Top Gun Shoot Out that will crown one SAGES 2009 TOP GUN.
At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
Coordinator: Benjamin Poulose, MD, Brian Katz, MD
At this station, participants will gain exposure to the laparoscopic transcystic method of common bile duct stone management. The station utilizes the latest in inanimate model technology to simulate an actual situation for the management and retrieval of common bile duct stones.
At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
Coordinator: Leonardo Villegas, MD
This station will focus on Intraoperative Ultrasound techniques and applications. Participants will use the latest ultrasound technology with a new inanimate phantom that was developed to mimic the ultrasound properties of abdominal organs. Instructors will demonstrate and help participants perform intraoperative ultrasound for liver, biliary and pancreatic disease, as well as discuss their surgical applications.
Coordinator: Shanu Kothari, MD & John Morton, MD
The learning curve for gaining proficiency in weight-loss procedures may be shortened with an effective simulator. The Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band Simulator allows participants to introduce a laparoscopic adjustable band, “run” the tubing, place the band in its correct anatomic position, and fixate the port into the subcutaneous tissue. The technical aspects of laparoscopic adjustable gastric band placement may be enhanced by simulation and allow a greater preprocedural understanding for the trainee and expert alike. A virtual laparoscopic gastric bypass trainer will similarly allow for participants to familiarize themselves with the steps and techniques necessary to perform gastric bypass.
At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
(Please note this does not meet the FDA requirements for qualifications to perform lap band surgery)
Coordinators: Dmitry Oleynikov, MD & Matt Goede
Surgical robotic systems allow for the surgeon to comfortably sit at a console and ergonomically manipulate and control the robotic arms and instruments. This offers the surgeon increased range of motion, three-dimensional imaging, the benefit of motion scaling, as well as eliminating tremor. The purpose of this station will be to all participants to have hands-on exposure to the latest technologies in robotic surgery. Participants will be able to perform various simulated tasks using a surgical robot. Additionally, new in-vivo robots, including deployable robotically controlled laparoscopic visualization systems will be demonstrated.
At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
Coordinators: Adheesh Sabnis, MD, Yuri Novitsky, MD
The presentation of surgical videos is now an integral component of scientific meetings both for educational reasons, as well as for the demonstration of new techniques. The purpose of this station will be to learn the basic tools needed for capturing video in the operating room, and become familiar with the various software available for video editing on both PC and Mac platforms. Participants will have the opportunity to perform basic video editing of short videos as the station.
At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
Coordinator: Shawn Tsuda, MD
Surgeons of today must be leaders of high performance teams to optimize efficiency and safety in the operating environment. High-fidelity simulation allows surgical teams to identify deficits in communication and performance. This station will engage surgeons, endoscopists, anesthesiologists, nurses, surgical technologists in practicing new procedures such as Natural Orifice Transluminel Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) and simulating low frequency events such as technical complications and intraoperative crises in a mock endosuite. A debriefing and evaluation of performance using validated tools will promote retention of valuable learning points.
At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
Coordinator: Gretchen Purcell Jackson, MD, PhD & Joshua Glenn, MD
The last decade has seen increasing emphasis on patient safety and quality of care from government agencies, regulatory bodies, and payers. At this station, participants can explore a variety topics related to
surgical patient safety including proper use of operative instrumentation, informed consent, care-team communications, and avoiding malpractice lawsuits through videos, web-based instructional
modules, and interactive instruction.
At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to: