Reflections on the 4th ISSA International Hands-On Intensive Master in Basic and Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgical Anatomy of the Female Pelvis and Techniques
The 4th ISSA International Hands-On Intensive Master in Basic and Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgical Anatomy of the Female Pelvis and Techniques was a successful event!
Held in Verona, Italy, from 3rd to 6th June 2024, it was a hybrid live and digital event in collaboration with the AAGL (Elevating Gynecologic Surgery) aimed at pelvic surgeons wishing to deepen their knowledge in surgical anatomy, which is traditionally the golden rule of the ISSA School.
This latest course edition passed as the most successful one, attended by 155 participants from 35 countries and with the valuable contribution of an international faculty composed by the most important stakeholders and key-opinion leaders worldwide.
During this four-day hands-on intensive course the participants were literally immersed in a sparkling mix of theoretical presentations, keynote lectures and live surgical sessions from the IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital and from other international referral centers.
The live-surgery sessions provided a step-by-step approach to a comprehensive range of surgical procedures including the laparoscopic hysterectomy, the “Pune Technique” radical hysterectomy and the “Negrar Method” for the nerve-sparing eradication of deep endometriosis with rectal and parametrial resection.
The theoretical lessons were structured in an interactive manner through the extensive use of didactive videos focused on both anatomical principles and surgical treatment options.
The candidates could also attend the keynote cadaveric dissections held by course directors, Dr. Marcello Ceccaroni and Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar, who introduced and gave a “syllabus” for the retroperitoneal approach to pelvic dissection.
The daily hands-on dissection, using laparoscopic instrumentation and the most advanced 3D and 4K HD technologies, allowed participants to immediately apply what they learned benefiting from priceless and tailorized mentorship of real masters of surgery from around the world!
On the final day of the course, participants were involved in a cadaveric hands-on masterclass in laparoscopic suturing techniques, preceded by a pelvic trainer session in which candidates were guided by tutors in suturing simple and complex wounds.
But… if the days were made for learning and practicing, the nights were spent in perfect “Italian style,” tasting local food or sipping a glass of some of the world’s finest wines. Such unforgettable moments gave the opportunity to strengthen old friendships and make new ones, always surrounded by the beauty of Verona, with its millenary history of art and culture, which was the perfect and charming setting to host this intense master class, just 420 years after the burning love of Romeo and Juliet.
During one of these thrilling dinners on the shores of Lake Garda, we also celebrated the 85th birthday of our beloved Professor Liselotte Mettler, a true pioneer of minimally invasive gynecological surgery who continues to inspire us.
This course received a lot of positive feedback from the participants, who particularly appreciated the high level of teaching, the good balance between theoretical and practical activities and the friendly atmosphere.
On our part, we were proud to have another opportunity to support, through all the proceeds of this event, the various educational and humanitarian projects that the ISSA School is building and funding around the world, simply by sharing our passion and knowledge of surgical anatomy!
A deep knowledge of surgical anatomy is one of the pivotal factors in performing a safe, effective and efficient surgery, so it is vital for surgeons to understand the retroperitoneum to review or deepen their knowledge and improve their skill.
Get on board the “ISSA School Boat” for sailing and navigate the waters of knowledge and improvement through a comprehensive didactic pathway and on-stage keynote demonstrations by world-renowned experts!
Register now for the 5th International School of Surgical Anatomy (ISSA) courses at the next AAGL Global Congress titled “Tips and Tricks in Minimally Invasive Retroperitoneal Surgical Anatomy to Perform Safe Gynecologic Surgery” (Course title ANAT-700, Didactic) followed by an on-stage keynote demonstration (Course title ANAT-710, Advanced Anatomy Cadaver Demonstration Lab) and choose to become a real “pelvic sailor”, rather than a “pirate!”
