Postgraduate Didactic Courses

Monday, October 9 | Tuesday, October 10 | Wednesday, October 11

Monday, October 9, 2006

PG22: Principles of Cancer Surgery

6 credits, Verification Level II
Monday, October 9 | 9:45 am–5:15 pm
Chair: Frederick L. Greene, MD, FACS, Charlotte, NC

This course will review oncologic principles utilized in resection of common cancers, including colon, rectal, breast, and stomach. In addition, approaches to melanoma, other skin cancers, and sarcoma will be reviewed. Experts in each of these areas will present anatomy, physiology, and chemotherapy and radiation issues needed for decision making and discuss the pertinent oncologic principles to be utilized in diagnosis and resection of each cancer. Also, practice-based educational activities will be offered following the course for additional CME credit by the Division of Education at no extra charge. Details will be provided during the course.

Sponsored by the Commission on Cancer

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PG23: The Hernia Course (Parts I & II)

12 credits, Verification Level I
Monday, October 9 | 9:45 am–5:15 pm;
Tuesday, October 10 | 8:30 am–4:00 pm
Chair: Robert J. Fitzgibbons, Jr., MD, FACS, Omaha, NE

This course will review the operative approaches for open and laparoscopic repairs of inguinal and femoral hernias, for open and laparoscopic repairs of ventral and incisional hernias, and for closure of the abdominal wall after the open abdomen.

Sponsored by the Advisory Council for General Surgery

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PG24: Update on Mechanical Ventilation

6 credits, Verification Level I
Monday, October 9 | 9:45 am–5:15 pm
Chair: Jeffrey M. Nicholas, MD, FACS, Atlanta, GA

Many modes of ventilation are now available for surgical patients with acute respiratory failure. This course will focus on current guidelines for ventilator care, the risks of standard modes of ventilation, the current alternatives to conventional volume ventilators, and the role of salvage maneuvers such as the administration of steroids.

Sponsored by the Advisory Council for General Surgery

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PG25: Unresolved Issues in Trauma and Critical Care

6.25 credits, Verification Level I
Monday, October 9 | 9:45 am–5:30 pm
Co-Chairs:
George C. Velmahos, MD, PhD, FACS, Boston, MA
Gregory J. Jurkovich, MD, FACS, Seattle, WA

This course will cover the following topics: management of major liver injuries; operative and nonoperative concepts in pancreatic trauma; angiographic embolization and operative management of pelvic fractures; operative techniques in rectal trauma; decision making for the mangled extremity; surgical techniques in pulmonary trauma; methods of closing the open abdomen; new concepts in fluid resuscitation; the role of prehospital intubation; timing of tracheostomy; dosage and duration of antibiotic treatment; advantages of enteral nutrition; and spinal clearance after severe trauma. In addition, an expert panel will include interesting case presentations.

Sponsored by the Committee on Trauma

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PG34: Foundations in CPT and ICD-9-CM Coding

6 credits, Verification Level I
Monday, October 9 | 10:00 am–5:30 pm
Chair: Albert Bothe, Jr., MD, FACS, Chicago, IL

This basic course will focus on introducing the participant to the American Medical Association’s Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), ICD-9-CM, and Evaluation and Management (E&M) coding principles. The participant will use office and hospital notes to determine the appropriate components of the three required elements. At the conclusion of the course, participants will understand the differences between coding and reimbursement principles and how to navigate the diagnosis sections of ICD-9-CM and CPT. They will be able to describe the key components for choosing procedure codes and E&M codes and use diagnosis and CPT coding principles to ensure clean claim submission. Each participant is required to bring a copy of Current Procedural Terminology, 2006 edition.

Sponsored by the General Surgery Coding and Reimbursement Committee

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Tuesday, October 10, 2006

PG27: Minimally Invasive Esophageal Surgery

6 credits, Verification Level I
Tuesday, October 10 | 8:30 am–4:00 pm
Chair: William O. Richards, MD, FACS, Nashville, TN

A variety of laparoscopic approaches are now available to treat all forms of esophageal disease. This course will focus on current techniques of resection, myotomies, fundoplication and repair of paraesophageal hernias, including resection of esophageal carcinoma; resection of epiphrenic diverticulum; Heller myotomy; Nissen/Toupet/Dor fundoplications; reoperative Nissen; and paraesophageal hernia.

Sponsored by the Advisory Council for General Surgery

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PG28: Benign Disease of the Gastrointestinal Tract (Parts I & II)

12 credits, Verification Level I
Tuesday, October 10 | 9:00 am–4:30 pm;
Wednesday, October 11 | 9:00 am–4:30 pm
Chair: Keith D. Lillemoe, MD, FACS, Indianapolis, IN

This course will emphasize the current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to benign diseases of the stomach, duodenum, small bowel, colon, and anus.

Sponsored by the Advisory Council for General Surgery

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PG29: Surgery of the Pancreas

6 credits, Verification Level I
Tuesday, October 10 | 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Chair: Michael G. Sarr, MD, FACS, Rochester, MN

This course will offer an update on all aspects of surgical management of diseases of the pancreas, including acute and chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cysts, pancreatic islet cell neoplasms, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and pancreatic trauma.

Sponsored by the Advisory Council for General Surgery

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Wednesday, October 11, 2006

PG30: Review Course in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery for Certification and Maintenance of Certification Candidates (Parts I & II)

11 credits, Verification Level I
Wednesday, October 11 | 7:45 am–5:15 pm;
Thursday, October 12 | 9:30 am–12:30 pm
Co-Chairs:
Thomas A. D’Amico, MD, FACS, Durham, NC
Robert S. D. Higgins, MD, FACS, Chicago, IL

This review course will cover a broad range of topics in cardiac and thoracic surgery for learners preparing for certification and maintenance of certification examinations.

Sponsored by the Advisory Council for Cardiothoracic Surgery

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PG31: Urology Review for Recertification Candidates

6 credits, Verification Level I
Wednesday, October 11 | 8:00 am–3:30 pm
Co-Chairs:
Robert R. Bahnson, MD, FACS, Columbus, OH
Judd W. Moul, MD, FACS, Durham, NC

This course will help participants prepare for the recertification examination in urology. The faculty will review the five domains of urology: (1) pediatric urology; (2) oncology and urinary diversions; (3) obstruction calculus disease and trauma; (4) impotence, infertility, and infection; and (5) incontinence and voiding dysfunction.

Sponsored by the Advisory Council for Urology

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PG32: What’s New in Vascular Surgery 2006: Update on Management of Common Vascular Problems

6 credits, Verification Level I
Wednesday, October 11 | 8:00 am–3:45 pm
Chair: Richard P. Cambria, MD, FACS, Boston, MA

This course will provide a comprehensive review of the new procedures developed for managing vascular disease, highlighting controversies and results. Emphasis will also be placed on the practical issues associated with the resolution of complications arising during the conduct of vascular and endovascular procedures on the arterial and venous systems.

Sponsored by the Advisory Council for Vascular Surgery

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PG26: Mastering Surgical and Office-Based Coding

6 credits, Verification Level I
Wednesday, October 11 | 9:00 am–4:30 pm
Chair: John T. Preskitt, MD, FACS, Dallas, TX

This course will build on and apply the coding principles discussed in the foundations course to surgical scenarios. These concepts will be expanded to include Medicare reimbursement rules and guidelines for surgical coding. Participants will apply the skills learned to the coding of hands-on surgical case scenarios, including vascular access, coding for breast surgery and reconstruction, gastrointestinal endoscopy, colon surgery, vascular cases, gallbladder, lesions, and wound repairs. At the conclusion of the course, participants will understand the American Medical Association’s definition of the surgical package, Medicare’s definition of the global surgical package, and when to apply modifiers to surgical procedures and office encounters. They will also be able to identify the elements of explanation of benefit forms that physicians should review and to analyze and identify physician profiles that may pose risk to the physician or practice. Each participant is required to bring a copy of Current Procedural Terminology, 2006 edition.

Sponsored by the General Surgery Coding and Reimbursement Committee

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PG33: Minimally Invasive Surgery: The Next Steps

6 credits, Verification Level I
Wednesday, October 11 | 9:00 am–4:30 pm
Co-Chairs:
Bruce D. Schirmer, MD, FACS, Charlottesville, VA
Gerald M. Fried, MD, FACS, Montreal, QC

This course is designed for practicing general surgeons who are increasingly incorporating or contemplating incorporating minimally invasive techniques into their practices. An introductory session on gaining safe access and port placement in the previously operated abdomen will be followed by four sessions devoted to the areas of foregut surgery, hernia repair, bariatric surgery, and colorectal surgery. In each of these areas, the use of minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques will be discussed. Presentations will focus on patient selection, appropriateness for an MIS approach, controversies and contraindications of using such an approach, and data-driven results of the use of MIS approaches for various operative procedures in these areas. The potential complications specific to MIS approaches in these areas and avoiding these common pitfalls will also be discussed.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education

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