Focus On – Neurosurgery
05/05/2026 - 07/05/2026 Warsaw, Poland
Focus On – Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery Brain MasterClass
Program Director:
Principal Course Master(s):
Course Overview
For this distinctive MasterClass, the collaboration between a small animal surgeon specializing in neurology and a neurologist with a keen interest in surgery provides an optimal training environment. Together, they offer the most extensive expertise available to elevate your neurosurgical skills to unprecedented levels.
It is crucial, however, to acknowledge that discussing intracranial surgery without addressing the essential component of perioperative care would result in an incomplete examination of the subject. With this consideration in mind, we have expanded the program to include a comprehensive array of topics presented in recorded webinars, covering diagnostic imaging, anesthesia, intensive care, and adjuvant therapies.
Aims and learning outcomes:
The main objectives of this MasterClass are to acquaint the veterinary surgeons with the intricacies of intra-cranial surgery and equip them with the necessary expertise and training to carry out a wide range of procedures.
Upon completion of this MasterClass, participants will have achieved the following outcomes:
• Understand Indications for Brain Surgery:
o Identify and describe various surgical diseases that necessitate brain surgery.
o Explain the role of surgical interventions in cases of meningioma, the roles of biopsies, hydrocephalus management, and trauma treatment.
• Diagnostic Imaging in Surgical Decision-Making:
o Evaluate the importance of diagnostic imaging in the decision-making process for brain surgery.
o Interpret imaging results to inform surgical planning and approaches.
• Technical Proficiency in Brain Surgery:
o Demonstrate knowledge of the technical aspects and procedures involved in brain surgery.
o Apply surgical techniques appropriately in different clinical scenarios.
• Pituitary Tumor Surgery:
o Understand the fundamentals of pituitary tumor surgery in both dogs and cats.
o Recognize the unique challenges and considerations associated with pituitary surgery in different species.
o Recognize common mistakes and challenges encountered in brain and pituitary surgeries.
o Develop strategies to avoid pitfalls and manage challenges effectively during surgical procedures.
• Clinical Case Analysis:
o Analyze and discuss various clinical cases, including those involving trauma and reconstruction.
o Develop critical thinking skills to assess complex cases and determine appropriate surgical interventions.
These learning outcomes aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of brain and pituitary surgery in veterinary medicine.
This specialized course primarily targets surgeons or neurologists but it also welcomes residents in their final years of training who possess advanced knowledge in neurology and/or surgery.
Recorded webinars
• Imaging of the brain and pituitary – Beukers
• Postoperative intensive care of brain and pituitary tumor surgery patients – Dörfelt
• Anesthesia for brain and pituitary tumor surgery patients – Calero Rodriguez
• Adjuvant therapy in treatment of Brain and pituitary tumors – Zandvliet
Course Program (Subject to change)
Tuesday, 05 May 2026 – At Hotel Mercure Warszawa Centrum: Brain and Pituitary
08:30 – 08:45 Welcome and registration
08:45 – 09:15 Overview and learning outcomes Bergknut / Meij
09:15 – 10:30 Introduction to brain surgery
Pre-operative planning and instrumentation needed for neurosurgical procedures Bergknut
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Hydrocephalus and placement of ventriculoperitoneal shunts Bergknut
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch Break
13:30 – 14:30 Introduction to pituitary tumor surgery Meij
14:30 – 15:30 Pituitary imaging, the surgeon´s perspective Meij
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee Break
16:00 – 17:00 Pituitary cases and challenges Meij
17:00 – 18:00 Clinical cases and discussion all
Evening Social Dinner
Wednesday, 06 May 2026 – At Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW): Pituitary Wet Labs
08:30 – 10:00 Pituitary surgery Meij
– Pituitary surgery in dogs
– Pituitary surgery in cats
10:00 – 10:30 Coffee Break
10:30 – 12:00 Brain surgery: technical aspects on how to perform transfrontal and lateral (rostrotentorial) and caudal occipital craniotomies Bergknut
12:00 – 12:30 Cases, complications, challenges Bergknut / Meij
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch Break
13:30 – 17.30 Wet lab introduction and wet lab pituitary surgery
– Demostration of pituitary surgery dog / cat Meij
– Wet lab – Pituitary surgery (participants)
Thursday, 7 May 2026: Brain wetlabs – Approaches to the brain and VP shunt
08:30 – 12:30 Wet lab 1
– Demonstration ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement Bergknut / Meij
– Demonstration rostrotentorial craniotomy Bergknut
– Wet lab – Approaches to the brain (participants)
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch Break
13:30 – 16:30 Wet lab 2
– Wet lab – Approaches to the brain (participants, continued)
16:30 – 17:00 Wrap-up, debriefing, evaluation
Farewell
Focus On – Neurosurgery
Date:
05/05/2026 - 07/05/2026Location:
Warsaw, Poland
05/05/2026 - 07/05/2026Location:
Warsaw, Poland
Tuition fee*:
EUR. 3.750.-
Early registration fee*:
EUR. 3.650.-
Early registration deadline:
01/01/2026
Disdcount resident fee:
EUR. 2.650.-
Total hours:
TBA
ATF hours (AU, DE, LU, CH):
TBA
ECTS credits (Master & Certificate):
* eLibrary access is included in the course fee
