MIS: Home > Training > Introduction

Training

Download the NEW 2009 Veterinary Endoscopy Training Brochure [PDF; 552kB]

Instructional Goals: to increase the numbers of small and exotic animal patients that benefit from minimally invasive surgery by increasing the number of veterinarians and technicians capable of doing endoscopy.

Training History: Endoscopy programs (lectures, discussions, and wet labs) have been taught at the University of Georgia since 2001. Faculty Steve Hernandez-Divers, MaryAnn Radlinsky, and Clarence Rawlings have each taught dozens of endoscopy training laboratories around the world. Their training is supplemented by Dr. Tim McCarthy, Dr. John Payne, Dr. Autumn Davidson, Dr. Todd Tams, and the orthopedic surgeons and internists at UGA.

Approximately six to eight courses are taught each year in exotic animals (see the exotics section of our Web site) and small animals. Small animal programs include cystoscopy, rhinoscopy, video-otoscopy, esophagoscopy, gastroscopy, duodenoscopy, colonoscopy, laparoscopy, arthroscopy, and thoracoscopy.

To develop skills prior to practice in animals, a wide variety of models and psychomotor trainers are used. Courses focus on more than just techniques or “how to.” We emphasize application by using clinical case examples, make recommendations on the integration of endoscopy into your practice, and encourage participants to change their approach to practice. We continually add new procedures and teaching techniques. These courses are regularly modified and updated.

Small Animal Course Offerings

Basic Small Animal Endoscopy: February 20-22, 2009 (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). Morning lectures followed by afternoon "hands-on" labs.

Day 1 focuses on esophagoscopy, gastroscopy, and duodenoscopy. Day 2 provides opportunity to gain more practice and perform colonoscopy. Biopsies and foreign body removal will be performed. Day 3 includes basic laparoscopy for biopsies, cancer staging, and laparoscopic assisted gastropexy, cystoscopic calculi removal, and spays.

Basic Rigid Endoscopy: July 17-18, 2009 (Friday and Saturday). Morning lectures and case presentations followed by afternoon "hands-on" labs.

Day 1 includes cystoscopy, rhinoscopy, and video-otoscopy. Day 2 includes basic laparoscopy for biopsies, cancer staging, and laparoscopic assisted gastropexy, cystoscopic calculi removal, and spays.

Laparoscopy and thoracoscopy lectures on techniques, and case presentations with advanced psychomotor skills training, knot tying, and use of Ligasure and radiofrequency on day 1. Day 2 will be devoted to “hands-on” laparoscopy (gastropexy, calculi removal, spay, intracorporeal and extracorporal knot tying, excision biopsy of left medial iliac lymph node for cancer staging, cholecystectomy, adrenalectomy, and enterostomy feeding tube placement) and thoracoscopy (pericardium, lung biopsy with endo-loop, lobectomy with stapler, thoracic duct clip, lymph node dissection, dissect between pulmonary artery and aorta, extracorporeal knot tying about intercostal artery while in ventral recumbency or of internal thoracic when in dorsal recumbency.) Energy devices (Ligasure and radiofrequency) and stapling equipment will be used.

Small Animal Arthroscopy: December 11-12, 2009 (Friday and Saturday morning).

Day 1 morning lectures and case presentations followed by afternoon "hands-on" arthroscopy on elbow, shoulder, stifle, hock, hip and carpus. The arthroscopy "hands-on" laboratory practice is repeated on the morning of day 2.

Advanced Laparoscopic/Thoracoscopic Surgery: December 12-13, 2009 (Saturday and Sunday). Repeat of July 19-20 course.

Technicians are encouraged to register to attend lectures and observe the laboratories. We encourage each veterinarian bring the technician most likely to participate with endoscopy, as their role is critical when integrating endoscopy into the practice.

For course information and registration, contact Ms. Melissa Kilpatrick (706.542.1451 or melissak@uga.edu) or visit the Continuing Education Web site for Web-based registration (www.vet.uga.edu/ce/calendar/).

>>  Read about exotics training

^  Top of page