University of California San Francisco

UCSF Hosts First Advanced Laparoscopic Course in N. California for Senior Residents and Fellows

UCSF Gastorintestinal Surgery
October 2, 2017

The first advanced laparoscopic course in Northern California, dedicated to the training of Minimally Invasive Surgery fellows and surgical senior residents, was held at the UCSF Anatomy Learning Center on Saturday, August 12, 2017. The course, jointly developed by UCSF and Stanford, and co-chaired by Matthew Lin, M.D. and John Morton, MD respectively, provided a one-day comprehensive experience for senior trainees that included a formal didactic curriculum as well as a hands-on cadaver lab. There were over twenty participant trainees drawn from the following institutions:

  • San Joaquin General Hospital
  • Stanford University
  • UC Davis
  • UCSF
  • UCSF-East Bay Surgery Program
  • UCSF-Fresno Department of Surgery

They were taught by nationally renknowned surgeons from UC Davis, UCSF, and Stanford who volunteered their time:  

Figure 1 Homera Rivas MD From Stanford Discusses The Latest Treatment For Achalasia

Topics in the curriculum included: 

  • Laparoscopic Ergonomics
  • Energy Devices/Staplers
  • Heller’s Myotomy/POEM
  • Nissen Fundoplication
  • Sleeve Gastrectomy
  • Rou-en-Y Gastric Bypass 

Figure 1 Stan Rogers MD From UCSF Presenting The Nuances Of Fundoplication

There was an overwhelming positive response by the trainees. Gregory J. Haro, MD a UCSF general surgery senior resident, commented:                                                                   

The Northern California Advanced Laparoscopic Course was a highly educational, collaborative, hands-on experience. We were able to review and apply laparoscopic techniques under the tutelage of the best surgeons in Northern California. I am a more thoughtful surgeon as a result of this class and I hope that it will continue for future trainees.