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Focus On – Surgery

Focus On – Surgery

Name: Focus On – Surgery
Start: 2025-11-10T00:00:00+01:00
End: 2025-11-12T23:59:59+01:00
Location: Vienna, Austria

Spinal Surgery II: Stabilisation Techniques MasterClass

Program Director:

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

Principal Course Master(s):

Dr. Bianca Hettlich Dipl. ACVS, Dipl. ECVS (DE)
Prof. Dr. Björn Meij, Dipl. ECVS (NL)

Course Overview

The Spinal Surgery 2 MasterClass is an advanced, hands-on course designed to equip veterinary surgeons with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform various spinal stabilization procedures for trauma and instability in small animals.

This intensive 3-day program includes both theoretical lectures and practical exercises on canine cadavers. Participants will explore spinal stabilization at all spinal levels using techniques such as locking plates, pedicle screw-rod fixation, and pins and/or screws with PMMA. Preoperative planning and postoperative assessment will be covered through diagnostic imaging, alongside discussions on procedural complications and postoperative management.

This course is tailored for veterinary surgeons with prior experience in neurosurgery, particularly those proficient in neurological examinations and decompressive surgeries. Residents training under ECVN, ECVS, and ACVSprograms are highly encouraged to join.

Aims/Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this MasterClass, participants will be able to:

Develop treatment plans for spinal conditions requiring stabilization.
Utilize diagnostic imaging for preoperative planning and postoperative assessment.
Understand the biomechanical principles of spinal stabilization in small animals.
Select and apply appropriate implants and instrumentation for various spinal procedures.
Perform different stabilization techniques based on spinal location and construct type.
Identify intraoperative and postoperative complications and implement effective solutions.

Establish a postoperative management plan for spinal stabilization patients.

Course Program (Subject to change)

Monday, 10 November 2025

08:00-08:30 Welcome & Registration
08.30-09:00 Introduction and Overview of the course and key learning points
09:00-09:30 Spinal anatomy and biomechanics
09:30-10:00 Imaging of the spine and planning stabilization
10.00-10.30 Instrumentation for spinal stabilization
10:30-11:00 Break
11:00-11.30 How to approach the spinal trauma patient
11:30-12:00 Thoracolumbar spine trauma
12:00-12:30 Questions and clinical case discussion
12:30-13:30 Lunch break
13:30-15.30 Practical Exercise 1
Thoracolumbar fixation with pins and PMMA
15:30-17:30 Practical Exercise 2
Lumbar fixation with plate and screw17:30-18:00 Questions and discussion of practicals
Social Dinner

Tuesday, 11 November 2025

08:30-09:00 Atlantoaxial instability
09:00-09:30 Cervical spine trauma
09:30-10:00 Degenerative cervical myelopathy
10:00-10:30 Questions and clinical case discussion
10:30-11:00 Break
11:00-13.00 Practical Exercise 3
Atlantoaxial instability -fixation with screws and PMMA
13:00-14:00 Lunch break
14:00-15:45 Practical Exercise 4
Cervical fixation with screws and PMMA
15:45-17:30 Practical Exercise 5
Cervical fixation with plate and screws
17:30-18:00 Questions and discussion of practicals

Wednesday, 12 November 2025

08:30-09:00 Lumbosacral fracture / luxation
09:00-09:30 Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis
09:30-10:00 Pedicle screws
10:00-10:30 Questions and clinical case discussion
10:30-11:00 Break
11:00-13:00 Practical Exercise 6
Lumbosacral fixation with pins/screws and PMMA
13:00-14:00 Lunch break
14:00-16:00 Practical Exercise 7
Lumbosacral fixation with pedicle screws and rods
16.00-16.30 Questions and discussion of practicals
16:30-17:30 Complications after spinal fixation
17:30-17:45 Summary of course and wrap up.
Farewell