PRE-CONFERENCE MASTER'S CLASSES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2008

#1 Master’s Class in the Prevention and Management of Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgical Complications
Half-Day (9:00am-12:30pm; 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits)

All abdominal and pelvic MIS procedures carry an inherent risk of complications. This interactive course will present a philosophy for the prevention and management of complications during minimally invasive surgery of the abdomen and pelvis. Video segments and case presentations will be used to demonstrate principles and stimulate discussion. Source material will be obtained from students’ “real world” experiences and supplemented with materials selected by the faculty panel and customized based on pre-conference information obtained from registrants. An interactive student and faculty discussion format will be utilized. This course will discuss management paradigms to prevent, recognize, and treat complications appropriately. Careful, methodical assessment and strategies for appropriate action will be stressed. Topical presentations based on student input will highlight detailed surgical anatomy, sound surgical principles and careful technique. Participants are strongly encouraged to submit video or other case material (anonymously) to maximize topical relevance for their individual practice and needs.

Course participants will be better able to:
• Recognize and decrease the risk of complications in laparoendoscopic surgeries;
• Identify and discuss specific conditions affecting appropriate patient selection;
• Discuss indications, contraindications and limitations of MIS procedures and technologies;
• Understand relevant surgical anatomy and potential technical pitfalls;
• Develop management paradigms to prevent and treat complications;
• Describe the rationale and timing of conversion to open procedures.

FACULTY
Raymond J. Lanzafame, MD, MBA, Director
Ceana Nezhat, MD, Co-Director
Lawrence C. Biskin, MD
Carl J. Levinson, MD
Howard N. Winfield, MD

#2 Master’s Class  in New Insight in Diagnosing and Treatment of Abdominal and Pelvic Pain for General Surgeons, Gynecologists, and Urologists: Including Simple Office Evaluation and Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis, Cystoscopy, Vulvovestibulitis, Hernias, Adhesions, Pelvic Congestion Syndrome, Pudendal Nerve Neuralgia, Trigger Points Injection and Pain Mapping - Jointly with the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS)
Half-Day (1:00pm-4:30pm; 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits)

This Master’s Class will include discussions on a newer approach in evaluation and treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain, Endometriosis / Adenomyosis, Interstitial Cystitis / Painful Bladder Syndrome, Inguinal and Obturator Hernia, Bowel Obstruction Adhesion, Pelvic Congestion Syndrome and Pelvic Tension Myofascial Syndrome.

Objectives:

• To master the newer approach in office evaluation and treatment for difficult pelvic pain patients.

• To learn more about new techniques such as abdominal and pelvic trigger points injection, office cystoscopy, intravesical therapy for interstitial cystitis and fluoroscopy for pelvic congestion syndrome.

FACULTY
Harry Reich, MD, Director
Maurice K. Chung, MD, Co-Director
James F. Carter, MD
Fred Howard, MD
John E. Morrison, Jr., MD
Alfredo Nieves, MD

#3 Master’s Class • Hands-On Course on Laparoscopic Suturing in the “Vertical Zone”
Full-Day (8:00am-4:30pm; 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits)

The algorithm for laparoscopic suturing as described in the “Vertical Zone” has been tested over many years nationally and internationally. Proficiency with intracorporeal knotting in less than 3 minutes has been achieved by over 80% of attendees in past courses. This includes practicing gynecologists, residents, and fellows. This result is also mirrored in international courses. Concurrent validity is excellent with the technique described, as the relative hand positions and movements are immediately transferable from the trainer to the O.R. That laparoscopic suturing is essential for today’s laparoscopies would be an understatement. This course equips all attendees with improved suturing skills and insight into applications during surgery.

Objectives:

• Understand ergonomics, theory and rationale for reproducible laparoscopic suturing;

• Applications of skills learned in relevant surgical situations;

• Prevention and management of bowel, bladder and ureteral complications by appropriate suture repair;

• Pre-test and post-test to demonstrate improvement in skills

FACULTY
Charles H. Koh, MD, Director
David M. Boruta, II, MD
Jeremy M. Carver, SA
Tommaso Falcone, MD
Keith Issacson, MD
John E. Morrison, Jr., MD

#4 Master’s Class in Robotic Laparoscopic Surgery Jointly with the Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery Association (MIRA)
Full-Day (9:00am-4:30pm; 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits)

Leading practitioners in the fields of general, gynecologic, urological and vascular MIS will discuss their experiences with robot-assisted surgery. The advantages and disadvantages of robot-assisted vs. traditional MIS will be discussed and debated, as well as future applications of robotics for each surgical discipline. Gynecology topics will include general, oncologic, and fertility surgery. Urological sessions will include treatment of both benign and malignant urological conditions. General surgery topics will include foregut, hepatobiliary, colorectal, bariatric and vascular applications. Remote telepresence surgery, remote physician-patient interaction by robot interface, and remote teleconferencing by robot over the internet will be discussed as well. One presentation will be conducted via remote, transcontinental telepresence.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will increase their knowledge and understanding of robotics and of the applications of robotics for minimally invasive surgery from the perspective of outstanding practitioners who were and are instrumental in developing and perfecting these techniques.

Participants will have the opportunity to participate in a one-hour afternoon robotics simulation laboratory session with a hands-on experience on DaVinci robotic simulators. This session will be included at no extra cost as part of the full-day Robotics post graduate course.

This course will be presented in cooperation between the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS) and the Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery Association (MIRA).

FACULTY
William E. Kelley, Jr., MD, Director
Santiago Horgan, MD, Co-Director
Arnold Advincula, MD
Horacio Asbun, MD
Arnold Byer, MD
Elspeth M. McDougall, MD
Farr Nezhat, MD
Joseph Petelin, MD
Leela Prasad, MD
Richard M. Satava, MD
Gregory Zagaja, MD

#5 Master’s Class • Multidisciplinary Approach to Gynecologic Endoscopic Surgery Jointly with the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL)
Full-Day (8:30am-4:30pm; 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits)

When performing gynecologic endoscopy, particularly with advanced pathology, the surgeon needs to be aware of the benefit of a multidisciplinary approach and how to proceed while collaborating with other specialties. The goal of this Master’s Class is to increase the knowledge and skills necessary to handle advanced cases, whether from the perspective of the novice laparoscopist or the advanced specialist. This will benefit general and gynecologic surgeons and urologists as well as ancillary OR personnel.

We will demonstrate a step-wise approach to gynecologic cases emphasizing knowledge of anatomy, anatomic variation, safe abdominal entry, and the management of potential complications. Suturing, current trends, and up-and-coming technology will be covered.

An open-communication video session on complications will provide examples of known, expected, and incidental complications, which will highlight the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach. The faculty as a panel will address management of complications related to gynecologic endoscopy.

Objectives:

• Recognize essential pelvic anatomy and be aware of anatomic variations;

• Select the best method of abdominal entry to minimize complications;

• Identify situations that warrant a multi-disciplinary approach and manage advanced cases and/or complications utilizing multiple specialties;

• Be aware of current trends and technologies in gynecologic endoscopy;

• Utilization of new technology in office-based procedures.

FACULTY
Ceana Nezhat, MD, Director
Farr Nezhat, MD, Co-Director
Masaaki Andou, MD
Tommaso Falcone, MD
Keith Isaacson, MD
Grace Janik, MD
William E. Kelley, Jr., MD
Elspeth McDougall, MD
Charles Miller, MD
Camran Nezhat, MD
Harry Reich, MD
Howard N. Winfield, MD
Robert Zurawin, MD

#6 Master’s Class in Laparoscopic General Surgery Jointly with the Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
Full-Day (8:00am-4:30pm; 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits)

The Master’s Class this year is specifically designed to take practicing surgeons, already adept at advanced minimally invasive techniques, to an even higher level of surgical knowledge and technical skill.

The morning session will consist of didactic lectures. Leading practitioners will discuss advanced laparoscopic interventions, focusing on the recent developments and technical nuances of greatest utility to practicing surgeons. Key developments have been selected from the following areas of general surgery: prosthetics in hernia repair, ventral hernia repair, gastroesophageal surgery, colorectal surgery, and solid organ surgery.  A special lecture has been added this year regarding maintenance of certification (MOC), including the role of surgical simulation.

The afternoon session will offer an SLS first: a unique, in-depth exposure to surgical simulation.  Instructors will present a brief history of simulation, the current rationale for surgical simulation for practicing surgeons, and an individually instructed, hands-on experience with current simulation devices.

Attendance in the Master’s Class this year will be limited.

FACULTY
Michael S. Kavic, MD, Director
W. Peter Geis, MD, Co-Director
Phillip P. Shadduck, MD, Co-Director
Paul G. Curcillo, II, MD
Morris E. Franklin, Jr., MD
B. Todd Heniford, MD
John E. Morrison, Jr., MD
Joseph Petelin, MD

Master's Class Lunch with Lecture: How to Prepare for the Coming of Simulation Certification
12:00pm–1:00pm

In this session, participants will learn about the current and future roles and impact that the American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institutes program is having on surgical education.  Specifically how standards for surgical curricula augmented by simulation are being used for training and assessment with implications going beyond UME and GME towards skills certification and maintenance of certification.

FACULTY
Richard M. Satava, MD, Director
Robert M. Sweet, MD, Co-Director
Ajit Sachdeva, MD

Master's Class Simulation Practice Center
Open Full Day (8:00am-4:30pm)

The Simulation Practice Center will give Master’s Class participants the opportunity to practice their laparoscopic skills and provide hands-on experience with the simulation systems.

FACULTY
Robert M. Sweet, MD, Director
Harrith M. Hasson, MD, Co-Director
Kyle Anderson, MD
Leslie Deane, MD
G. Fernando Perego, MD
Abraham Shashoua, MD
Kevin Zorn, MD