Welcome to the QE Lap Subtotal Hysterectomy ‘Masterclass’ for SpR’s & Consultants.

Much work has gone into organization and we are grateful for the support of our partners in industry. - Karl Storz UK, Gyrus International, Ethicon Endo-Surgery and Robert’s Surgical. They have all given generous sponsorship. Throughout the meeting and particularly during the ‘hands on’ session in the afternoon their representatives will be continually available for advice. Please don’t hesitate to ask for help.

You will see from the programme the morning has been devoted to presentations. We will discuss hysterectomy trends, efficacy both medium and longterm and try to relate these to patient satisfaction as this relates to QoL. We will also define the role of laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy before presenting the results of three large patient series from the UK and Europe. In the afternoon there are two ‘live cases’ performed by expert surgeons. There will then be a short ‘hands on’ session, which will introduce you to essential instrumentation. For more intensive skills development we would encourage you to attend one of our Laparoscopic Skills for Gynaecologists courses.

These are two day courses aimed at SpR’s and Consultants and cover a wide-range of basic and advanced skills with intensive ‘hands-on’ drills. They are held three times a year and details can be obtained from Maxine Grindley in our Education Centre mailto:maxine.grindley@nhs.net or on our Website:laparoscopycourses.co.uk

Our ability to safely perform laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy (LSH) has been greatly facilitated by recent developments in instrumentation. The most significant of which, has been the easy availability of reliable technology for coagulating and cutting tissue. Moreover, both these functions can be fulfilled with single instruments. The Tripolar and Plasma Kinetic (PK) forceps, the Harmonic (ACE) Shears and the Laploop system are all essential for a safe approach to LSH. These will be employed during the ‘live surgery’ you will have the chance to use them during the ‘hands on’.

Tissue removal is a recurring problem for endoscopic surgery. The removal of large organs through small incisions is both a challenge and an irritation. Whereas various bag systems have sufficed for the removal of ectopics, the plea for a simple, safe and reliable technique for laparoscopic hysterectomy remained long unanswered. That was, until the introduction of single use morcellators. In the ‘hands on’ you will also be given an introduction to the skills required for morcellation.

On a final note, we should thank others who have contributed to this ‘masterclass’. Thanks are due to Maxine Grindley and her staff at the Medical Education Centre and to Barry Pike from Medical Photography, who has arranged the audiovisual link for the ‘live cases’.

The organisers have also arranged to entertain delegates at 7.00pm in Ubon one of Docklands best known restaurants. Directions are in the ‘masterclass’ booklet.