Neurology: Advanced Neurosurgery

Name: Neurology: Advanced Neurosurgery
Start: 2025-09-01T00:00:00+02:00
End: 2025-09-05T23:59:59+02:00
Location: Bern, Switzerland

Principal Course Master(s):

Prof. Dr. Franck Forterre, Dipl. ECVS (CH)

Course Overview

This intensive five-day course is designed for veterinary professionals seeking to deepen their expertise in advanced neurosurgical techniques. The program combines comprehensive lectures, case discussions, and hands-on wet labs, providing participants with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to manage complex neurosurgical cases.

Participants will explore a range of advanced procedures, including cervical facettectomy, thoracolumbar lateral corpectomy, spinal stabilization techniques, and brain and peripheral nerve surgery. Each day begins with a structured review of key concepts and learning objectives, followed by in-depth discussions on indications, techniques, and potential complications. The afternoons are dedicated to guided wet lab sessions, ensuring hands-on practice under expert supervision.

Key highlights of the course include:
✔ Surgical techniques for cervical, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral procedures
✔ Spinal stabilization methods and their clinical applications
✔ Brain and peripheral nerve surgery, including common challenges
✔ Case-based discussions on surgical vs. non-surgical approaches
✔ Networking opportunities, including a welcome apéro and social dinner

On the final day, participants will engage in case-based clinical reasoning exercises, discussing real-world scenarios to refine their decision-making skills. The course concludes with an outlook on further training opportunities, including certification and master’s programs.

This program is ideal for veterinarians with prior experience in neurology (ESAVS Neurology courses), surgery (ESAVS STS and Orthopaedics courses), or equivalent, who wish to enhance their practical skills in advanced neurosurgical interventions.

Course Program (Subject to change)

Monday, 1 Sep 2025

08:45 – 09:00 Registration and welcome
09:00 – 09:30 Introduction and goals of the course, prep. BYOC
09:30 – 11:00 Cervical facettectomy and cervical dorsal laminectomy – indications, procedures – all you need to know
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:15 Common complications in cervical surgeries
12:15 – 13:30 Lunch Break
13:30 – 15:00 Wet lab: Cervical facettectomy and cervical dorsal laminectomy
15:00 – 15:30 Coffee Break
15:30 – 17:00 Wet lab and closing discussions.
Starting 17:30 Welcome Apéro

Tuesday, 2 Sep 2025

09:00 – 09:15 Summary of day 1 – Learning objectives for day 2
09:15 – 11:00 Thoracolumbar lateral corpectomy and lumbosacral foraminotomy
Indications, procedures – all you need to know
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:15 Common complications with Lateral corpectomy and lumbosacral foraminotomy
12:15 – 13:30 Lunch Break
13:30 – 15:00 Wet Lab: Thoracolumbar lateral corpectomy and lumbosacral foraminotomy
15:00 – 15:30 Coffee Break
15:30 – 17:00 Wet lab and closing discussions.

Wednesday, 3 Sep 2025

09:00 – 09:15 Summary of day 2 – Learning objectives for day 3
09:15 – 11:00 Spinal stabilization techniques – indications, procedures – all you need to know
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:15 Common complications encountered during spinal stabilization
12:15 – 13:30 Lunch Break
13:30 – 15:00 Wet Lab: cervical and thoracolumbar stabilization techniques
15:00 – 15:30 Coffee Break
15:30 – 17:00 Wet lab and closing discussions.
19:00 Social Dinner

Thursday, 4 Sep 2025

09:00 – 09:15 Summary of day 3 – Learning objectives for day 4
09:15 – 11:00 Brain and peripheral nerve surgery – indications, procedures, complications – all you need to know
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:15 Common complications encountered during brain surgery
12:15 – 13:30 Lunch Break
13:30 – 15:00 Wet Lab: Brain and peripheral nerve surgical techniques
15:00 – 15:30 Coffee Break
15:30 – 17:00 Wet lab and closing discussions.

Friday, 5 Sep 2025

09:00 – 09:15 Summary of day 4 – Learning objectives for day 5
09:15 – 10:30 Case-based clinical reasoning – surgical vs. non-surgical approaches
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:15 Outlook to Neurology courses, Certificate and Master Programs & CASUS, and BYOC
12:15 – 13:30 Lunch Break
13:30 – 15:00 BYOC + Final discussion