Focus On – Mini-Invasive Surgery

Name: Focus On – Mini-Invasive Surgery
Start: 2026-07-05T00:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-07-07T23:59:59+02:00
Location: La Coruña / Spain

Thoracoscopy MasterClass

Focus On – Mini-Invasive Surgery

Registration open

Program Director:

Univ. Prof. Dr. Gilles Dupré Dipl. ECVS (FR)

Principal Course Master(s):

Dr. J. Brad Case, DVM, MS, DACVS (USA)
Dr. Bart Van Goethem, Dipl. ECVS (BE)

Instructor(s):

Webinar: Dr. René Dörfelt, Dr. med. vet., Dipl. ECVAA, Dipl. ECVECC (DE)

Helper: Dr. Ruta Noreikaite

Course Overview

Thoracoscopy represents a remarkable achievement in the field of minimally invasive surgery. The lectures will be dedicated to showcasing, describing surgical techniques and engaging in discussions with participants. By using a model of ventilated anatomical parts and anesthetized sheep, this MasterClass will allow you to approach the reality of small animal thoracoscopic surgery most effectively. The fundamentals of thoracoscopic anesthesia will be provided through a recorded webinar. Three renowned experts will be your guides for a unique training experience tailor-made for any veterinary surgeon with experience in mini-invasive surgery.

This MasterClass is designed for veterinary surgeons and residents who already possess experience in laparoscopic surgery.

Aims and learning outcomes:
The primary goals of this MasterClass are to familiarize the veterinary surgeon with the unique aspects of thoracoscopic surgery. At the end of this MasterClass, participants will:
• Understand the setup and instrumentation required for thoracoscopic procedures.
• Gain proficiency in the use of Indocyanine Green (ICG) and Near-Infrared Fluorescence (NIRF) in thoracoscopy.
• Learn to manage conditions such as pyothorax and foreign bodies within the pleural space, chylothorax, including thoracic duct ligation (TDL) and cisterna chyli ablation (CCA).
• Master the techniques for lung biopsy, partial lobectomy, and total lobectomy.
• Explore alternative methods and additional clinical cases utilizing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS).
• Understand the pathophysiology and selection criteria for cases involving mediastinal masses.
• Practice the techniques of pericardial window procedures, subtotal pericardectomy and pericardioscopy and understand the procedure for right appendage removal.
• Study the diagnosis and thoracoscopic treatment of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) and Persistent Right Aortic Arch (PRAA).
• Apply theoretical knowledge in practical wet lab sessions using models (with 2 participants per table) and hands-on wet lab sessions on sheep (with 3 participants per table).

Course Locations:

THEORETICAL LECTURES
Hotel NH Collection A Coruña Finisterre
Paseo del Parrote, 2-4
15001 La Coruña, Spain
Web: https://www.nh-hotels.com/en/hotel/nh-collection-a-coruna-finisterre

PRACTICAL SESSIONS
Centro Tecnológico de Formación – Área Sanitaria Da Coruña E CEE
Xubias de Arriba, 84
15006 La Coruña, Spain
Web: https://xxicoruna.sergas.gal/Paxinas/web.asp

Course Program (Subject to change)

Sunday, 05 July 2026 – At Hotel NH Collection

08:30 – 09:00 Course introduction
09:00 – 10:00 Thoracoscopic exploration:
– Room organization and instrumentation
– Sub-xiphoidal and intercostal approaches
– NIRF-ICG in thoracoscopy
10:00 – 10:30 Coffee Break
10:30 – 13:00 The pleural space:
– Pyothorax, foreign bodies and paraoesophageal abscess
– Chylothorax with TDL + CCA
– Clinical challenges (e.g. cats, recurrence) and pleural ports
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch Break
14:00 – 16:00 Lungs:
– From lung biopsy to partial and total lobectomy: general principles and techniques
– Neoplasia: applications with NIRF, microwave, lymph nodes metastases, etc.
– Spontaneous pneumothorax
– Clinical cases: video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)
16:00 – 16:30 Coffee Break
16:30 – 17:30 Mediastinal masses:
– Pathophysiology and approaches
– Clinical cases
17:30 – 18:00 Discussion

Monday, 06 July 2026 – At Centro Tecnológico de Formación

08:30 – 10:30 Pericardium:
– Pericardial window or/and sub-total pericardectomy: an overview
– Pericardioscopy
– Right appendage removal
– Clinical cases
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 13:00 Advanced techniques:
– Vascular ring anomalies
– Azygous portosystemic shunts
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch Break
14:00 – 18.00 Wet labs on Ventilated models

Tuesday, 07 July 2026 – At Centro Tecnológico de Formación

09:00 – 13:00 Wet labs on sheep (3 participants/table)
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch Break
14:00 – 17:00 Wet labs on sheep
17:00 – 18:00 Debriefing and farewell