Feedback from Participants on the Cambridge Anastomosis Workshop, July 2017
General comments on the course:
A fantastic course. I now feel much more confident with the principles of performing a safe anastomosis.
It is a high quality course with very experienced faculty.
I honestly thought the entire course was brilliant. There was clear instruction and the instructors were excellent along with the great opportunity to practice on tissue. The food was also great! Thanks so much.
Useful, educational and interesting course with supportive and friendly facilitators. I felt relaxed and able to do well (or make mistakes) in a no-pressure environment.
Thoroughly enjoyed this course, many useful tips given and continuous feedback from faculty was greatly appreciated. [I would] encourage trainees to bring and use surgical loupes for the finer procedures - especially the vascular anastomoses.
Basics: The timing and duration was exactly right. We did not spend too long on the basic principles which many other courses tend to do, however the information given was essential to allow us to develop good practice for further tasks.
Small bowel: One of the most useful sessions for me in my current practice and at my current level. It really helped to have my own tissue to practice on.
Small bowel to colon: A very useful session, and interesting to perform on our own specimen. Allowed me to scrutinise my anastomosis.
Arterial basics: Very useful for me - I have never been involved with arterial repair before. This task focused on principles in handling arteries and I learnt a lot as a beginner.
Arterial anastomoses: The techniques were slightly more difficult for me to grasp. It was great to utilise a long length of aorta - the tissue feels very different to bowel/ureter, and I gradually learnt to handle this tissue without damaging it.
Stomach: A few different principles taught in comparison to small bowel and colorectal anastomoses. Here the videos were most useful to understand and follow new suturing techniques.
Oesophagus: The tasks in this section focused on a particular technique and the tissues were perfect to learn on. It did require assistance from a partner, but also a good skill to learn.
Colorectal: Marvellous. The model for this session was very good. Although the faculty acknowledged size discrepancy with the circular stapler, this was the most innovative set up I have seen for similar tasks.
Urology: Faster paced than other topics and more complex but very interesting and stimulating. I really enjoyed this session and was very grateful for a well-paced and educational session. All faculty took the time to teach alternative techniques and approaches too.
Reviews from previous participants (2016 Course)
1. Did the course improve your own skills as a surgeon?
Yes (x3); definitely; yes my skills have improved immensely; the course improved my skills in every aspect.
2. In which particular ways?
Knotting, needle holder use, general principles, anastomotic techniques; confidence; suture placement, instrument handling, specially tips from supervisors; hand tying, how to palm the needle holder; getting more dextrous in general with instruments; learning how to economise movements; how to work deep down in the pelvis; how to complete a hand sewn anastomosis.
3. Did the course increase your confidence in tackling anastomoses?
Definitely (x4); massive improvement.
4. If you are a trainee or a consultant were your consultants or colleagues interested in hearing about what you’d been taught?
We discussed the course at length; they certainly asked about the course and my thoughts about it; yes I spoke to several people about what you had taught us but not sure if their practice changed though.
5. Which aspects of the course have you found most valuable since the Course?
Good to go over basic principles; hands on approach; urology; the wide variety of techniques demonstrated; having opportunity to ask about some of the problems I have had in the past was great; how to suture the bladder; how to work in the pelvis.
6. Have you seen any of your own audit figures for anastomotic leaks, perhaps comparing outcomes before and after the course?
No, not yet, I am currently ST3- I attended the course as a CT1; I have not had an anastomosis leak yet -I am sure it's a matter of time and it's probably because I don't do enough; I have only done about 50 so far; I have only done only a few anastomoses since; have not had a leak for years (as I am very selective which one I should be doing as a gynaecological oncologist).
7. Should surgical trainees attend this course or similar courses as part of their mandatory training?
Yes (x2); It is already mandatory for all gynaecological oncologists; yes definitely, I highly recommend it!!; definitely think the course should be mandatory - it is for gynaecological oncologists.
8. Is there anything else you would like to say?
A lecture on anastomotic leaks, and decisions regarding defunctioning, etc would have been helpful; keep up the hard work running such a intensive and high quality course; I have found it very useful to go over the course material again; thanks again for a great course; I have thoroughly enjoyed this course- it is real value for money and a must-attend course for general surgical trainees!!; your course is the best course I have ever been on. It was highly educational and well run.