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SAGES 2005 Learning Center

Hours of Operation

Thursday, April 14 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Friday, April 15 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday, April 16 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Chair: Daniel B. Jones, MD
Co-Chair: Daniel J. Scott, MD

Description:
The Learning Center is a group of educational “classrooms” designed to tutor meeting attendees on specific content areas. Attendees select the station topics they are interested in learning more about. Then, station coordinators offer instruction to small groups and target the level of instruction to the attendees needs. Attendees choose which stations best suit their learning goals and visit the station as long as they would like. Again this year, we will be collecting outcomes data in the Learning Center through either written questionnaires or skills assessment scores. Attendees may then compare their scores with benchmark data of all other Learning Center participants.

Who Should Participate:

• Surgeons and Surgical Residents of any skill level looking to improve their skill or knowledge on one or more of the topics below
• Surgeon educators who would like to learn more about educational tools and methods
• Nurses and GI assistants interested in minimally invasive surgery

2005 Learning Center Stations

Information Technology in Surgery

Coordinators: Daniel Herron, MD & Gretchen Purcell, MD
This station will offer guidance for how to integrate technology into the surgeon’s daily struggle to keep up
with information. Participants will be tutored on internet search engines and strategies for surgical literature, including using e-journals and automated search updates on newly published articles. Participants will also be
guided through various PDA applications for surgeons, including surgical reference information as well as
business and coding applications. New for 2005, blue-tooth technology will be discussed.

Objectives:

• Become familiar with journal and information searching programs
• Acquire skills related to PDA uses for surgeons

New Technologies for Learning

Coordinators: James Korndoeffer, MD & Thomas McIntyre, MD
This station will familiarize participants with leading edge technology for acquiring laparoscopic skills. New for 2005, operation-specific virtual reality simulators will be featured. Several laparoscopic cholecystectomy simulators are now available which allow trainees to practice dissection, clipping, cutting, and cauterization within the context of an actual operation. Some simulators feature tactile or haptic feedback to increase the fidelity of simulation. Participants will have the opportunity for hands-on time using the various simulators.

Objectives:

• Become familiar with new operation-specific simulators
• Practice dissection techniques relevant to laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Flexible Endoscopy

Coordinator: Brian Dunkin, MD
Virtual reality simulators have become state-of-the art for teaching flexible endoscopy. Upper and lower endoscopic procedures can be simulated, including ERCP. Tactile feedback is available, as well as patient vital signs and pain indices. Participants will have the opportunity for hands-on practice using simulators to perform diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers. A variety of case scenarios will be available including GI bleeding and polyps. New for 2005, endoscopic ultrasound modules will be available.

Objectives:

• Learn basic skills required for safe and effective upper and lower endoscopy
• Learn techniques of managing upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage
• Learn techniques of snare polypectomy

Suturing

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. New for 2005, 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.

Objectives:

• Learn key steps for intracorporeal suturing and knot-tying in an inanimate environment
• Learn key steps for intracorporeal suturing and knot-tying in an virtual reality environment
• Demonstrate proficiency compared to “experts”

Ultrasound

Coordinators: Paul Hansen, MD & Leo Villegas, MD
This station will focus on ultrasound techniques and applications. Participants will utilize the latest ultrasound technology on live models. The instructors will demonstrate and help the participant perform surface ultrasound on models and use the latest laparoscopic probes to practice guided biopsies on inanimate models. New for 2005, simulators that alleviate the need for human or artificial ultrasound phantoms will be used for teaching.

Objectives:

• Learn basic techniques of surface ultrasound
• Learn basic techniques of laparoscopic ultrasound guided biopsy

Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration

Coordinator: Mark Watson, MD & Seifu Tesfay, RN
Laparoscopic common bile duct (CBD) exploration has proven effective but is difficult to learn. New for 2005, Participants will view the SAGES Top 14 video describing CBD exploration, use an interactive CD, and then practice the procedure using the latest teaching models available. Trainees will use flexible choledochoscopes, cystic duct balloon dilators, and baskets to retrieve CBD stones.

Objectives:

• Become familiar with CBD exploration equipment
• Learn the steps by which to perform CBD exploration systematically
• Identify and recover CBD stones using simulator models

Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair

Coordinators: Benjamin Schneider, MD & Vivian Sanchez, MD
Despite a recent trial, which questioned laparoscopic hernia repair as the gold standard, numerous randomized trials support this procedure’s efficacy and advantages over conventional herniorrhaphy. Laparoscopic hernia repair remains, however, difficult to learn because of unfamiliar preperitoneal anatomy and a small working space. New for 2005, participants will view the SAGES Top 14 video describing the TEP repair, use an interactive CD, and then practice the procedure using the latest teaching models available.

Objectives:

• Learn the pertinent preperitoneal anatomy
• Learn the steps by which to perform the TEP repair
• Practice mesh deployment and securing techniques

SAGES TOP 14 Procedure Videos

Coordinators: Horacio Asbun, MD & Chris Boyd, MD
This station will present basic anatomy and short videos of core laparoscopic procedures. New for 2005, the SAGES TOP 14 videos will be used, which includes edited footage and commentary on flexible endoscopy, diagnostic laparoscopy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, CBD exploration, Nissen fundoplication, inguinal hernia repair, ventral hernia repair, splenectomy, adrenalectomy, right hemi-colectomy, sigmoid colectomy, Roux-en-y gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric band placement.

Objectives:

• Become familiar with the indications and techniques for the core surgical procedures demonstrated in the videos

Laparoscopic Camera Navigation – New for 2005

Coordinators: Randy Haluck, MD & Dimitrios Stefanidis, MD
New for 2005, this station will include the latest virtual reality and videotrainer-based models for teaching laparoscopic camera navigation, including the use of an angled laparoscope. These “obstacle courses” for scope drivers sound easy, but they can be difficult. Novices and experts alike are invited to participate, either to learn new skills or to demonstrate proficiency. Participants will take a “spin” through the simulators and can compare their scores with established expert levels.

Objectives:

• Acquire skills required for accurate and efficient camera navigation
• Demonstrate proficiency in angled scope navigation compared to “experts”

Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) - New for 2005

Coordinators: Gerald Fried, MD & Ashley Vernon, MD
New for 2005, this station will introduce participants to SAGES Fundamental of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) module. FLS is the first national program designed to teach the physiology, fundamental knowledge, and technical skills required in basic laparoscopic surgery. Participants will use 2 interactive CDs to become familiar with the didactic component and the lap trainer boxes to practice their skills. This station will also allow program directors who are considering using FLS to have hands-on time with the module.

Objectives:

• Become familiar with the FLS program
• Learn key preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative considerations fundamental to laparoscopic surgery
• Acquire skills fundamental to the performance of laparoscopic surgery

Top Gun – New for 2005

Coordinator: James Rosser, MD
New for 2005, the Top Gun Laparoscopic Skill Shootout Station will allow participants to both practice and compete for the ultimate trophy – “Top Gun.” The station will feature the “Rosser” stations developed at Yale and well known for requiring significant dexterity. Participants will learn tricks for achieving good scores as they practice for qualifying and final rounds of the Top Gun Shoot Out. The Top Gun Shoot Out will take place after the Learning Center closes on Saturday from 2:00 - 3:00 PM. No CME for this competition.

Objectives:

• Become familiar with the Rosser laparoscopic stations
• Compete again other surgeons in the Top Gun Shoot Out, held after the Learning Center closes and no CME credit is given.

SAGES gratefully acknowledges educational grants from the following company
in support of this event: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.

Contributions In-Kind:
Karl Storz Endoscopy
Stryker Endoscopy