Lap-D Workshops

The AGES Laparoscopic Anatomy & Pelvic Dissection (LAP-D) Workshop is a one-day course designed for Specialist and Trainee Obstetrician’s and Gynaecologist’s with laparoscopic skills who wish to expand their knowledge of pelvic and abdominal retroperitoneal anatomy while advancing their laparoscopic surgical dissection techniques.

AGES aims to allow access to quality anatomy teaching by providing a number of courses that focus on a functional laparoscopic approach to pelvic anatomy. The dissection course allows for eighteen registrants to participate in lectures, undertake anatomical dissection on female fresh frozen donors and interact with highly skilled laparoscopic surgeons as they delve into the anatomical aspects of the female pelvis.

An introductory lecture series is followed by two, three hour operating and dissection sessions, using fresh frozen female donors.

The workshops are held at the Medical Engineering and Research Facility (MERF), Queensland University of Technology (QUT) facility in Brisbane.

Three participants are assigned to each donor and will be closely supervised by an experienced advanced laparoscopic surgical instructor. Each participant will have the opportunity to operate, assist and observe to optimise the learning experience as they rotate evenly through each step.

The course will focus on dissection of the pelvic side wall, with particular emphasis on the surgical layers, spaces and anatomical structures contained within.

Retroperitoneal spaces around the bladder, pelvic floor, large bowel and kidneys will all be explored.

All participants will be provided with pre-reading and copies of the presentations a week prior to the workshop.

Registrants are expected to confidently increase their anatomical knowledge and awareness, allowing for improved surgical confidence, outcomes and reduced complications for their patients.