Skip to main content

NC State Intro to Laparoscopy Course

February 3-4, 2024 • 10.5 hours of AAVSB RACE Approved CE

collage of minimally invasive surgery images

The NC State College of Veterinary Medicine is excited to offer a two-day training course in small animal laparoscopy on February 3-4, 2024. This course is designed for general practitioners who are interested in learning more about laparoscopy and expanding their practice to include laparoscopic spays and lap-assisted gastropexies.  Whether you have minimal experience with laparoscopy and are looking to learn some of the basics, or already have some experience but would like to refine your skills under the guidance of an experienced minimally invasive surgeon, this course is structured to provide a comprehensive introduction to laparoscopy with focus on commonly performed procedures.

Day One consists of a full day of didactic training and hands-on practice with laparoscopic trainers and canine cadavers.  Topics include learning how to use and process laparoscopic instruments and discussion regarding specific procedures including laparoscopic spay, orchidectomy, liver biopsy, and lap-assisted gastropexy.  Each group will get to practice these procedures on cadavers before moving on to the second day of the course.  On Day Two, participants will work in pairs to perform a laparoscopic spay and lap-assisted gastropexy on a future adoptee from a local rescue group.  Each pair will work with the help of a scrubbed-in surgeon who will provide pointers and support as needed; this is an excellent chance for participants to build confidence in a safe environment while also helping to support a local rescue group!  With this hands-on experience and personal instruction, participants will be able to return to their practice excited to bring these minimally invasive procedures to their clinical patients.

Sponsored by

TimeTopic
8:00AM-8:30AMWelcome and Introduction to Laparoscopy
8:30AM-8:50AMLaparoscopic Psychomotor Skills
8:50AM-9:15AMEnergy Devices and Instrument Sterilization
9:15AM-9:45AMPatient Prep, Positioning, and Port Placement
9:45AM-10:15AMAnesthesia for Laparoscopy
10:15AM-10:30AMBreak
10:30AM-11:30AMPsychomotor Skills Practice on Box Model Trainers
11:30AM-12:30PMLunch
12:30PM-1:00PMLaparoscopic Ovariectomy
1:00PM-1:15PMLaparoscopic Cryptorchid
1:15PM-1:45PMLap-Assisted Gastropexy
1:45PM-2:00PMOrgan Biopsies - Liver and Intestine
2:00PM-5:00PMCadaver Lab:
Ovariectomy and Lap-Assisted Gastropexy
TimeTopic
9:00AM-12:00PMGroup 1: Laparoscopic Ovariectomy and Lap-Assisted Gastropexy on Shelter Patient
12:00PM-1:00PMLunch
1:00PM-4:00PMGroup 2: Laparoscopic Ovariectomy and Lap-Assisted Gastropexy on Shelter Patient
Valery Scharf
Valery Scharf, DVM, MS, DACVS
Associate Professor, Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery
NC State College of Veterinary Medicine
kelley thieman
Kelley Thieman Mankin, DVM, DACVS
Associate Professor; Nancy & Michael Shaw Chair in Small Animal Clinical Sciences
Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital

The course will take place at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, located at 1060 William Moore Drive in Raleigh, North Carolina. The NCSU CVM is located approximately 10 miles from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).

Lodging is available at the Ramada by Wyndham Raleigh located at 1520 Blue Ridge Road (directly next door to the CVM). The room rate is $89 + tax per night. Please call (919) 832-4100 to reserve your room.

The registration fee for this course is $3,500.

The fee includes a PDF of the course presentations, breakfast and lunch each day, and 10.5 hours of AAVSB RACE approved continuing education credits.