Advanced Minimal Access Hernia Surgery

Learning Outcomes

  • Perform dissection and tissue approximation tasks following evidence-based surgical principles.
  • Understand and manage complications associated with minimal access surgery.
  • Acquire expert knowledge on recent advances in minimal access hernia procedures.
  • Properly and safely use laparoscopic instruments, ensuring regular maintenance.
  • Significantly improve surgical performance through simulation experience and advanced assessment.
  • Enhance non-technical skills, such as surgical team setup, resource management, and unit organisation.

Course Description

The field of minimal access surgery (MAS) has experienced significant growth over the past two decades. MAS offers numerous advantages over traditional surgery, such as shorter hospital stays, reduced analgesic use, and better cosmetic outcomes. However, MAS can also present unexpected complications, requiring a cautious and practiced approach. This blended learning programme, Advanced Minimal Access Hernia Surgery (aMAS Hernia), is designed to help you learn evidence-based principles and improve your surgical performance. Hands-on experience at the Apollo Simulation Centre (ASC) will enhance your skills, minimising complications. The programme caters to both beginners and experienced professionals, covering essential topics like ergonomic principles, dissection and tissue approximation techniques, and anesthetic considerations, as well as advanced laparoscopic procedures in hernia surgery, including robotic surgery.

CME Credits

ASC is applying for certification as a comprehensive Accredited Education Institute by Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University. Once accredited, CME credit points will be added to all ASC courses.

Resolution of Conflicts of Interest (COI)

It is important to note that, apart from the instruments presented in sessions, neither ASC nor the invited speakers have any motivation to promote specific medical device brands. Participants are free to use any brand of their choice. The ASC’s industrial and research partners do not influence the creation or organisation of programmes or the selection of experts. All course faculty members and healthcare professionals are committed to maintaining their professional autonomy and independence from the medical device industry.

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Course Duration:
3 Days
  • Webinars, panels and small group discussions
  • Equipment, instrument and procedure demonstrations
  • Dry laboratory training on all technical aspect of MAS
  • Live demonstrations/master videos of various surgical procedures
  • Wet lab for hands-on experience during selected courses

Curriculum

Online Course Module

All didactic lectures will be available as online modules for candidates interested in online-only certification and to all onsite course participants to prepare for the contact course well in advance. All the required theory knowledge will be learnt through this web platform. There will be a Q&A section available after each lecture to interact with the faculty for any additional doubts to be clarified.

S. No Topic Faculty Comment
1 Introduction to laparoscopy Dr. Prasanna Kumar History and development
2 Laparoscopic instruments Dr. Prem Balachandran Image chain, lap trolley
3 Basic principles Dr. Raj Palaniappan Ergonomics of setup and access
4 Energy sources Dr. Venkat Subraminaim Electrosurgery, ultrasonics
5 Access techniques Dr. Muralidharan Pneumoperitoneum creation
6 Tissue approximation Dr. Raj Palaniappan Suturing, staplers, glue
7 Equipment maintenance Dr. Nikhilesh Krishna Safety, sterilisation, storage
8 Anaesthetic considerations Dr. Elayaraja ERAS, specific considerations
9 Troubleshooting Dr. Raj Palaniappan Tips to overcome difficulties
10 Robotic surgery Dr. Venki Munikrishnan Benefits, modifications
11 EndoHernia anatomy and radiology Dr. Prem Balachandran Inguinal, abdominal wall
12 Prosthesis and fixators Dr. Jameel Akhther Mesh, tackers, techniques
13 Optimising patients for surgery Dr. Venkat Subraminaiam Preparation and timing of surgery
14 Approach to groin hernias Dr. Sudeepta Kumar TAP, TEPP, complications, post-op
15 Approach to abdominal wall hernia Dr. Prem Balachandran IPOM, TARM, eTEP, complications
16 Abdominal wall reconstruction Dr. Prem Balachandran TAR, RS, complications, post-op
17 Emergency hernia management Dr. Jameel JKA Modalities to overcome difficulties
18 Difficult and revisional hernias Dr. Prem Balachandran Challenges and tricks
19 Recent advances and future Dr. Nikhilesh Krishna Procedures, instruments, prosthesis
20 Setting up a lap unit Dr. Muralidharan Guidelines, SOPs, setup, training
Onsite Course Module

The three day contact course is aimed at providing practical knowledge about everything that one needs to know about minimal access hernia surgery. This is achieved by way of 50% of time spent on panel discussions, live surgical demonstrations and 50% time on hands on training including dry and simulation laboratory.

Day 1: ASC

Time Event Location Comment
08:45 Registration and pairing Lounge Welcoming of participants
09:00 D1: Instruments/Prosthesis EndoSuite Image chain, lap trolley
09:45 D2: Basic principles EndoSuite Ergonomics of set-up and access
10:30 D3: Access techniques EndoSuite Creation of working space
11:00 Coffee/Tea – Lounge
11:15 H1: Access and dexterity Skills Lab Dissection and scissors exercise
12:00 H2: Knotting and suturing Skills Lab Technique and steps
12:30 Lunch – Lounge
13:30 P1: Which hernia repair? Skills Lab Advantages and disadvantages
14:00 P2: Hernia master videos Skills Lab Tips and tricks
15:00 Coffee/Tea – Lounge
15:15 H3: Extracorporeal knotting Skills Lab Endoloop, torn sac looping
16:15 H4: Intracorporeal suturing Skills Lab Needle handling, suturing
16:45 Summary Lounge Views, recap and group photo
17:00 End of Day 1

Day 2: ASC

Time Event Location Comment
08:45 Overview Lounge Pairing
09:00 H5: Mesh handling Skills lab Technique and steps
09:45 H6: Mesh placement Skills lab Technique and steps
11:00 Coffee/Tea
11:15 H7: Mesh fixation Skills lab Technique, steps
11:45 H8: Mesh suturing Skills lab Technique, steps
12:30 Lunch
13:30 P3: Controversies and problems Board room How to overcome difficulties
14:00 P4: Mishap videos Board room Complications, troubleshooting
15:00 Coffee/Tea
15:15 E1: OSCE Skills Lab Practical exam
16:30 E2: Results and certification Skills Lab Analysis of performance
16:45 Summary and feedback Lounge Views and recap
17:00 End of Day 2

Day 3: ASC/EISE

Time Event Location Comment
08:45 Overview OT Lounge Pairing
09:00 S1: TAP/TEP inguinal hernia OT Technique, steps
10:30 Coffee/Tea
11:00 S2: e-TEP ventral hernia OT Step by step approach
12:30 Lunch
13:30 S3: AWR (Lap/Robotic) OT Step by step approach
15:00 Coffee/Tea
16:30 Summary OT Lounge Views and feedbacks
17:00 End of the Course

 

Patron


Dr. Prasanna Kumar Reddy
Dr. Prasanna Kumar Reddy

Consultant Surgeon,

Department of Surgical Gastroenterology,

Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

Program Director


Dr. Muralidharan M
Dr. Muralidharan M

Consultant Surgeon,

Department of General Surgery,

Apollo Cradle Hospitals, Chennai

Course Convenor


Dr. Raj Palaniappan
Dr. Raj Palaniappan

Director and Lead Surgeon,

Institute of Bariatrics,

Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

Course Co-ordinator


Dr. Premkumar Balachandran
Dr. Premkumar Balachandran

Consultant Surgeon and Coordinator,

Institute of Hernia and Anterior Wall Reconstruction,

Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

Faculty


Dr. Sudeepta Kumar Swain
Dr. Sudeepta Kumar Swain

Consultant,

Robotic Gastrointestinal Surgeon,

Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

Dr. J.K.A. Jameel
Dr. J.K.A. Jameel

Senior Consultant, Surgical Gastroenterologist and Minimal Access Surgeon,

Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

Dr. Charles Mano Sylus
Dr. Charles Mano Sylus

Consultant Surgeon,

Department of General Surgery,

Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Vanagaram, Chennai

Dr. Nikhilesh Krishna
Dr. Nikhilesh Krishna

Consultant Surgeon,

Department of Minimal Access Surgery,

Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

Dr. Jameel Akther
Dr. Jameel Akther

Consultant Surgeon,

Department of General Surgery,

Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

Dr. R.Venkata Subramaniam
Dr. R.Venkata Subramaniam

Consultant Surgeon,

Department of General Surgery,

Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

Dr. Ravindran Kumeran
Dr. Ravindran Kumeran

Senior Consultant,

Gastrointestinal Surgery and GI Oncology,

Apollo First Med Hospitals, Chennai

Dr. Santosh Anand KS
Dr. Santosh Anand KS

Consultant,

Robotic and Laparoscopic GI Cancer Surgeon,

Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

Dr. Senthil Kumar K
Dr. Senthil Kumar K

Professor,

Department of General Surgery,

Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam

Dr. Subbaiah TS
Dr. Subbaiah TS

Associate Consultant,

General Surgery,

Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

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