Postgraduate Skills Courses

Sunday, October 7 | Monday, October 8 | Tuesday, October 9 | Wednesday, October 10

Sunday, October 7, 2007

SC01: Fundamentals of Breast Imaging for the General Surgeon

4 credits, Verification Level I
Sunday, October 7 7:30-11:45 am
Chair: Edward J. Donahue, MD, FACS, Phoenix, AZ

This course is an introductory course emphasizing the use of modern methods of breast imaging in the care of the breast patient. Anticipated registrants include general surgeons and general surgical residents interested in acquiring a foundational base in modern breast imaging modalities. Didactic course material will cover a wide range of imaging methodologies including mammography, breast sonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and the positron emission tomography scan. Emphasis will be directed to the use of mammography and breast sonography in the clinical assessment of the breast patient. Interactive audience participation will be facilitated by using clinical vignettes illustrating the necessity of clinical to pathologic image correlation in establishing a diagnosis and treatment plan. The analysis and discussion of clinical vignettes will be incorporated by interactive audience participation.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education

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SC02: Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS)—SOLD OUT

No FLS Examination: 6 credits, Verification Level I
With FLS Examination: 6 credits, Verification Level III
Sunday, October 7 9:00 am-4:30 pm
Co-Chairs:
E. Matthew Ritter, MD, FACS, Gaithersburg, MD
Daniel Scott, MD, FACS, Dallas, TX

The course will be based on the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) Program, a collaborative effort between the American College of Surgeons and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. This program includes a didactic and hands-on component, and learning can be verified by an optional validated test leading to a certificate issued by the ACS and SAGES. The didactic portion will review the theoretical basis for laparoscopy, including physiologic changes; anesthesia considerations; complications, pitfalls, and troubleshooting; enabling technologies; and technical pearls. The hands-on component will emphasize those skills specific to laparoscopy. Acquisition of skill can be monitored using validated metrics. The course syllabus will include the FLS CD-ROMs and sample questions.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education

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SC03: Surgical Education: Principles and Practices

6 credits, Verification Level I
Sunday, October 7 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Co-Chairs:
Mary E. Maniscalco-Theberge, MD, FACS, Reston, VA
Anne Thompson Mancino, MD, FACS, Little Rock, AR

The objective of this course is to enhance the teaching skills of surgeons active in student and/or resident teaching. The principles of adult learning needs assessment, questioning and feedback skills, and performance evaluation will be reviewed. In addition, participants will develop a thorough understanding of the practical applications of these principles, both in and out of the operating room. This course includes a workshop with interactive, small group discussion.

Sponsored by the Committee on Continuous Professional Development

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SC04: Thyroid and Parathyroid Ultrasound

7 credits, Verification Level II
Sunday, October 7 9:00 am-5:30 pm
Chair: Robert Sofferman, MD, FACS, Burlington, VT

The objective of this course is to introduce the practicing surgeon to office-based examination of the thyroid and parathyroid glands and related pathology. The distinction of normal from malignant lymphadenopathy will be emphasized with a demonstration of the comprehensive examination of lymph node basins in cervical zones I-VI. The process of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules and enlarged lymph nodes will be demonstrated in didactic lecture format. In addition, the hands-on skill sessions allow the surgeon to learn varied techniques of FNA in phantom models. Patient volunteers with thyroid and parathyroid pathology and normal glands will be used for the skill sessions. A DVD will be distributed for future reference. Credentialing and coding issues will also be discussed.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education and the National Ultrasound Faculty

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E-mail Uriah Melchizedek at umelchizedek@facs.org for more information.

SC05: Mammography for the General Surgeon

5 credits, Verification Level I
Sunday, October 7 12:15-5:30 pm
Chair: Darius Francescatti, MD, FACS, Chicago, IL

This course will highlight the acquisition of fundamental skills in viewing and analyzing the normal mammogram. In a stepwise fashion, the characteristics of the abnormal mammogram will be delineated and categorized into analytic patterns; mammographic calcifications, the nodular density, asymmetry on mammography, and architectural distortion will be discussed. Pathologic to image correlation of mammographic images will be stressed. Breast sonography will be incorporated into clinical scenarios to closely parallel and reflect the decision-making process faced by general surgeons in practice today but will be utilized in this course solely as a correlative means of analysis. The aspects of formulating a clinical treatment plan based on mammographic findings will be facilitated and reinforced by an interactive case presentation format between course participants and the surgical faculty.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education

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Monday, October 8, 2007

SC06: Minimally Invasive Colorectal Surgery

Part I, Lectures: 6 credits, Verification Level I
Part II, Hands-On: 8 credits, Verification Level II
Monday, October 8 9:45 am-4:15 pm (Lectures)
Tuesday, October 9 8:00 am-5:00 pm (Hands-On)
Co-Chairs:
Peter Marcello, MD, FACS, Burlington, MA
Matthew Mutch, MD, FACS, St. Louis, MO

The objective of this course is to provide the practicing surgeon with exposure to basic skills in laparoscopic techniques that form the basis for laparoscopic colectomy and to provide the basic information regarding indications, complications, and special considerations for laparoscopic colectomy. The course will also include technical skills, video anatomic recognition, and methods of retraction, exposure, and vascular ligation that will allow safe removal of colon and rectum. The optional hands-on session will include hand-assisted approaches and a cadaveric laboratory.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education and the Advisory Council for Colon and Rectal Surgery

Part I, Lectures

Part II, Hands-on

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SC07: Using Advanced Multimedia in PowerPoint Presentations

6 credits, Verification Level I
Monday, October 8 9:45 am-5:15 pm
Chair: William D. Hardin, MD, FACS, Birmingham, AL

The objective of this course is to teach participants how to use electronic multimedia tools to create a robust scientific presentation. Participants will spend a full day learning the aspects of creating a multimedia PowerPoint presentation, including the use of still images, sound, and video. They will learn how to publish and present this work in multiple media such as an auditorium presentation, a CD distribution, and on the World Wide Web. There will be one workstation for each participant.

Sponsored by the Committee on Informatics

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SC08: Breast Ultrasound

7.5 credits, Verification Level II
Monday, October 8 9:45 am-5:45 pm
Co-Chairs:
Jay Harness, MD, FACS, Orange, CA
Howard Snider, MD, FACS, Montgomery, AL

The objective of this course is to introduce the practicing general surgeon to a focused module in diagnostic and interventional breast ultrasound. The program will consist of lectures and hands-on skill stations using a variety of ultrasound equipment. Live models and phantom breast moulages will be used to develop skills in breast ultrasound imaging and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education and the National Ultrasound Faculty

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SC09: Vascular Ultrasound: New Applications and Laboratory Management

7 credits, Verification Level II
Monday, October 8 9:45 am-5:45 pm
Chair: R. Eugene Zierler, MD, FACS, Seattle, WA

The objective of this course is to provide the practicing surgeon and surgical resident/fellow with core education and training in the indications, techniques, advantages, and limitations of ultrasound examinations in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with vascular diseases. Emphasis will be given to those procedures that require some surgeon participation in image and Doppler signal acquisition. Topics covered will include ultrasound physics, intraoperative assessment, aortic aneurysm detection, duplex evaluation after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty/stenting, and use of ultrasound in venous interventions. Selected topics in vascular laboratory management will also be discussed, including billing and coding, instrumentation, reporting, databases, and credentialing/accreditation. The hands-on workshop will provide the surgeon with an opportunity to gain experience with obtaining ultrasound images from human models using a variety of ultrasound equipment.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education and the National Ultrasound Faculty

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SC10: Safe Operating Room Practices

6 credits, Verification Level I
Monday, October 8 10:00 am-5:30 pm
Chair: John R. Clarke, MD, FACS, Philadelphia, PA
Co-Chair: Donald W. Moorman, MD, FACS, Boston, MA

The team training concept, advocated by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, will be supplemented by information specifically addressing operating room (OR) safety. Surgeons inform patients about the risks of infection, bleeding, and unintended injury to adjacent structures. However, what about the risks of operating on the wrong body part, burning the patient, or leaving something behind?

These events occur weekly in ORs around the country, with devastating results. Learn how to control OR risks by a combination of effective teamwork, communication, and an awareness of the many seemingly innocuous steps that can lead to operative errors. The format will be interactive. Multiple attendees from a given hospital are encouraged to participate as a group. This course will qualify for patient safety CMEs for states or organizations requiring such credit.

Sponsored by the Board of Governors Committee on Surgical Practice in Hospitals and Ambulatory Settings

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SC11: Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation

4 credits, Verification Level I
Monday, October 8 1:00-5:30 pm
Chair: Peter Beitsch, MD, FACS, Dallas, TX

The objective of this course is to introduce the practicing general surgeon to the physics and principles, indications for, and technical aspects of catheter insertion and radiation delivery, as well as the initial outcomes from accelerated partial breast irradiation. A workshop will demonstrate the various pieces of equipment discussed during the didactic portion of the course.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education

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Tuesday, October 9, 2007

SC12: Lymphatic Mapping and the Significance of Sentinel Node Biopsy

7 credits, Verification Level I
Tuesday, October 9 8:00 am-4:30 pm
Chair: Armando Giuliano, MD, FACS, Santa Monica, CA

The objective of this course is to teach basic intellectual and practical aspects of sentinel lymph node dissection. Participants will learn about the use of sentinel node biopsy for melanoma and breast cancer. They will learn different techniques to perform the procedure and will understand the use of radioisotopes and lymphoscintigraphy. In addition, the histopathologic evaluation of sentinel node and the controversies surrounding special techniques will be discussed.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education

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SC13: Laparoscopic and Open Intraoperative Ultrasound in Abdominal Surgery

8 credits, Verification Level II
Tuesday, October 9 8:00 am-5:30 pm
Chair: Junji Machi, MD, FACS, Honolulu, HI

The objective of this course is to provide the practicing surgeon and surgical resident with basic, advanced, and updated education and training in abdominal ultrasound, as it is used in the diagnosis and treatment of abdominal diseases. Laparoscopic and open intraoperative ultrasound is the main focus of the course, although human transabdominal ultrasound scanning will be practiced to understand the normal anatomy of abdominal organs. This one-day course will consist of lectures and individual hands-on sessions. Human models, phantom moulages, and excised liver will be used to develop skills in laparoscopic and open intraoperative ultrasound imaging and ultrasound-guided procedures. Endoscopic ultrasound will also be discussed.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education and the National Ultrasound Faculty

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SC14: The Minimally Invasive Approach to Breast Biopsy: Stereotactic Technique and Application (Basic)

8 credits, Verification Level II
Tuesday, October 9 8:00 am-5:30 pm
Chair: Darius Francescatti, MD, FACS, Chicago, IL

The objective of this course is to introduce the surgeon to the principles and practice of stereotactic biopsy as a minimal access means of obtaining tissue samples for diagnosing indeterminate or suspicious mammographic lesions. An overview of radiation safety issues as related to stereotaxis, as well as the technical efficacy and cost analysis of stereotactic versus other alternatives, will be presented. A hands-on workshop is offered to provide the participant with the opportunity to practice performing basic stereotactic techniques. It is highly recommended that the skills-oriented postgraduate course Fundamentals of Breast Imaging for the General Surgeon be taken prior to this course.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education

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SC15: Computers and the Internet for the Practicing Surgeon

6 credits, Verification Level I
Tuesday, October 9 9:00 am-4:30 pm
Chair: Ronald Hirschl, MD, FACS, Ann Arbor, MI

This workshop-only, hands-on computer course will educate the surgeon on how to use the Internet in one’s daily practice, including the use of search engines; how to access the literature; available resources for evidence-based medicine and decision support; educational and clinical tools; drug databases; and the ACS portal and case activity log.

Sponsored by the Committee on Informatics

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SC16: Ultrasound Course for Residents—SOLD OUT

5 credits, Verification Level II
Tuesday, October 9 12:00 noon-5:30 pm
Chair: Amy Sisley, MD, FACS, Baltimore, MD

This course is intended to provide residents in training with an introduction to ultrasound and to the basic skills needed to use ultrasound during their rotations. This course includes didactic sessions on the physics of ultrasound instrumentation, scanning techniques, and clinical applications. The hands-on stations will provide practice in breast, vascular, abdominal, chest, neck, and FAST examinations as well as interventional procedures including ultrasound guidance with human and phantom models.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education and the National Ultrasound Faculty

Note: Although this course has no prerequisite, enrollment is limited, and we encourage residents to enroll early as we expect the course to sell out.

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Wednesday, October 10, 2007

SC17a: Maintenance of Certification Part IV: Individualized Education Linked to Patient Outcomes (Part A)

4 credits, Verification Level II
Wednesday, October 10 8:00 am-12:00 noon
Chair: Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC, Chicago, IL

The American Board of Medical Specialties Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program focuses on lifelong learning based on evaluation of performance in practice. Also, the current emphasis on individualized education to enhance patient care and outcomes is receiving great attention. Surgeons need to pursue educational opportunities based on analyses of their practices, benchmarking their practices with national and local standards and outcomes data, and performing gap analyses. The American College of Surgeons is creating systems to help surgeons meet MOC requirements. This interactive postgraduate course will help surgeons develop skills to pursue such practice-based learning and improvement activities and link their learning needs with the spectrum of educational opportunities to address the core competencies and MOC.

Enrollment in SC17b is not required to take this course, but it is encouraged.

Sponsored by the Program Committee

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SC17b: Hands-On Training: Using the ACS Case Log System to Support Practice-Based Learning and Improvement and Maintenance of Certification (Part B)

4 credits, Verification Level II
Wednesday, October 10 1:30-5:30 pm
Chair: M. Michael Shabot, MD, FACS, Houston, TX

The American College of Surgeons has launched a case log system to help surgeons record their cases and monitor their outcomes. This hands-on course will show users how to enter cases into the case log system and how to review and benchmark their results. Participants will also learn how to use the system to identify educational opportunities appropriate to their individual needs.

Enrollment in SC17a is not a prerequisite to take this course, but it is encouraged.

Sponsored by the Committee on Informatics

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SC18: Ultrasound Instructors Course

4 credits, Verification Level III
Wednesday, October 10 8:00 am-12:30 pm
Chair: Reid Adams, MD, FACS, Charlottesville, VA

This course is designed to provide learners with the didactic information and hands-on experience necessary to develop and offer an American College of Surgeons ultrasound course in their institutions or through one of their member societies. This course offers the “how to” for setting up a course. The candidate instructors also go through a proctored teaching exercise to ensure they possess the requisite skills for teaching this material.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education and the National Ultrasound Faculty

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SC19: Team Training in Surgery: Lessons from Aviation

6 credits, Verification Level I
Wednesday, October 10 8:00 am-3:30 pm
Co-Chairs:
Donald Moorman, MD, FACS, Boston, MA
Jack Barker, PhD, Miami, FL

Twenty-five years ago, mechanically sound aircraft were crashing because of crew errors. To reduce these errors, Crew Resource Management training, which emphasizes leadership and teamwork skills, was initiated. The goal of this course is to introduce surgeons and other team members such as anesthesiologists and nurses to the techniques that will help the team reduce errors. Topics will include team functioning and leadership models, communication techniques, error science, mental models, pre- and postoperative briefings, competence, and a culture of accountability. The format is interactive, allowing individuals several opportunities for “hands-on” teamwork practice. A team-training module from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center will be presented. Multidisciplinary teams for hospitals are welcome to attend and participate, which will help introduce team training into the teams’ medical centers.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education

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SC20: Disaster Management and Emergency Preparedness

7.5 credits, Verification Level I
Wednesday, October 10 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Chair: John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS, Ocala, FL

This operational-level course for surgeons focuses on essential principles for effective planning and management of mass casualty disasters. Discussions emphasize classifications and definitions of disasters, epidemiology and injury patterns, mechanisms of disaster (explosions, chemical, radiological, natural), planning, triage, incident command, decontamination, recovery issues, and pitfalls. Course tenets include the importance of surgeons as leaders in disaster planning and response, and the value of an all-hazards approach that leverages principles common to effective preparation and response, regardless of mechanism. Interactive disaster scenarios are interspersed with the didactic sessions and challenge participants to apply concepts in managing mass casualties. Effective mass casualty management is not simply doing more of the same day-to-day care-there is a different set of rules.

Sponsored by the Committee on Trauma

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SC21: Bariatric Surgery for All Surgeons

8 credits, Verification Level I
Wednesday, October 10 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Chair: Henry Buchwald, MD, FACS, Minneapolis, MN

This course is planned for the bariatric surgeon, the aspiring bariatric surgeon, and for nonbariatric surgeons who may have occasion to treat bariatric patients. The course will feature didactic presentations, operative videos, discussion panels, and a lecture from the president of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity. The participants will learn about the background data for the surgical management of morbid obesity; the technique, mortality and morbidity, long-term problems, and outcomes for the current bariatric procedures; experimental bariatric procedures; bariatric surgery for the elderly and for children; the emergency care of the bariatric patient; the cost/benefit and life expectancy after bariatric surgery; and the economics of bariatric surgery.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education

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SC22: Advanced Technology in Image-Guided Diagnosis and Treatment of the Breast

8 credits, Verification Level II
Wednesday, October 10 8:00 am-5:30 pm
Co-Chairs:
Eric Whitacre, MD, FACS, Tucson, AZ
Victor Zannis, MD, FACS, Phoenix, AZ

Advances have been made in the technology used to diagnose and treat diseases of the breast. One of the biggest advances is the increased use of ultrasound imaging for diagnosis and therapeutic, minimally invasive procedures using stereotactic and ultrasound guidance. This course will offer participants an opportunity to learn through a hands-on workshop about three specific image-guided procedures: (1) breast biopsy devices, including needle core devices, vacuum-assisted devices, and large intact sample devices; (2) image-guided, assisted lumpectomy; and (3) image-guided ablative therapy for benign and malignant disease. Participants will also learn about the dilemmas surgeons face in using image-guided technology for biopsy. Finally, participants will learn about the credentialing/certification process required for surgeons to use stereotactic and ultrasound technology.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education and the National Ultrasound Faculty

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SC23: Ultrasound in the Surgical ICU

8 credits, Verification Level II
Wednesday, October 10 8:00 am-5:30 pm
Chair: Heidi Frankel, MD, FACS, Dallas, TX

The course will focus on the intensive care unit (ICU) patient population and will present novel and relevant skills for the surgical provider who practices in this setting. Included in this module is an introduction to the use of a limited echocardiogram to assess cardiac function. The didactic sessions will include a review of physics, instrumentation, and billing for ICU ultrasound; thoracic imaging and instrumentation; central line insertion; vascular imaging; and limited echocardiography. The hands-on sessions will include a FAST refresher (with human model), thoracic imaging, vascular imaging, and ECHO (human model).

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education and the National Ultrasound Faculty

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