Registration is limited per laboratory. Lunch and/or refreshment breaks will be provided unless otherwise noted in the laboratory description. 

ACVS reserves the right to cancel any laboratory that does not meet minimum registrations by September 5, 2011. If the laboratory is cancelled by this date, registrants will be notified via email and all paid fees will be credited or refunded.

ACVS does not endorse nor promote the use of any product/service of commercial entities. Equipment used in these laboratories are for demonstration and teaching purposes only with the intent to enhance the learning experience.

Advanced Equine Upper Airway Laser Surgery
8:00am-6:00pm, Sunday-Tuesday, October 30-November 1
Location: Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Leesburg, VA
Ken Sullins (chair)  
Sponsors: DiodeVET, Karl Storz Veterinary Endoscopy America, Inc.
Laboratory Fee: $2,000 early/ $2,100 late
This 2½ day laboratory is limited to four participants and will be conducted on live horses. A practical overview of laser operation and safety for the patient, surgeon and equipment will be covered. Procedures included are ventriculocordectomy (with and without transnasal burr eversion); aryepiglottic fold resection; soft palate thermoplasty (AND standing ST tenectomy) and epiglottic entrapment (case permitting). Principles of contact and noncontact laser application will be covered before the surgeries are performed. Prior experience with endoscopy and lasers will be helpful but not required. Registration for this laboratory includes the lecture section to be held in Leesburg, VA before the laboratory begins.

Participants should fly into Washington Dulles Airport (IAD). Hotel limousine will transport to Leesburg (20 min). All transportation in Leesburg is provided. Breakfast and lunches are included. When the laboratory is complete, participants will fly on to Chicago to attend the ACVS Veterinary Symposium. Made in advance, a stopover in Washington isn’t difficult.

Small Animal Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery
8:00am-12:00pm, Tuesday, November 1, Lecture, Hyatt Regency Chicago
1:00-6:00pm, Tuesday, November 1, Laboratory, University of Illinois
Phil Mayhew (chair), Gilles Dupre, Lynetta Freeman, Eric Monnet, MaryAnn Radlinsky, Clarence Rawlings
Sponsors: COVIDIEN, Karl Storz Veterinary Endoscopy America, Inc. 
Laboratory Fee: $1,650 early/ $1,750 late
This laboratory has been specifically designed to further the knowledge and experience of Diplomates and residents of the college who possess a working knowledge and some basic experience in minimally invasive soft tissue surgery. It will focus specifically on the most clinically relevant advanced laparoscopic and thoracoscopic interventions currently performed in small animal practice. Techniques discussed in the lecture component and/or subsequently practiced in the live animal laboratory will include laparoscopic adrenalectomy, ureteronephrectomy, cholecystectomy, one lung ventilation techniques for thoracoscopy, thoracoscopic pericardectomy, lung lobectomy, thoracic duct ligation, ligation of persistent aortic arch and cranial mediastinal mass resection. This laboratory is open to ACVS/ECVS Diplomates and Residents only.

Advanced TPLO Course & Wet-Lab
8:00am-6:00pm, Wednesday, November 2
Mike Kowaleski  (chair), Brian Beale, Don Hulse, Antonio Pozzi
Sponsor: SYNTHES Vet 
Laboratory Fee: $650 early/ $700 late
TPLO surgery is often performed for treatment of the cruciate-deficient stifle in dogs. Special considerations during TPLO surgery must be considered in some patients. This course will address decision-making and surgical techniques used to treat concurrent MPL and ACL disease, femoral and tibial deformity and ACL disease, excessive tibial plateau slope and arthroscopic-assisted TPLO. Participants will use the Synthes locking TPLO plate and instrumentation on plastic bones and canine cadavers in the laboratory portion of the course.

AO Veterinary Technicians’ Workshop
8:00am-6:00pm, Wednesday, November 2
Noel Moens (chair), Alan Ruggles
Sponsors: AO North America, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, an ACVS Industry Partner, in-kind support provided by  Synthes, USA
Laboratory Fee: $375 early/ $425 late
The course will introduce to the participants the instrumentation, implants and techniques routinely used in orthopedic surgery. It will familiarize the participant with the proper care and use of the instrumentation and help them develop appropriate and effective cleaning and sterilization methods for those instruments. It will emphasize the importance of maintaining adequate asepsis and antisepsis protocols and focus on the role that the veterinary technicians are playing in preventing or minimizing orthopedic infections. Finally, the course will familiarize the participant with short- and long-term care of the postoperative orthopedic patient, including physiotherapy. It will help the technician to improve client communication and help them develop better patient follow-up programs. Overall, this course will provide practical experience, understanding and knowledge to help the veterinary technician to better assist the orthopaedic surgeon and take a greater, more active role in the decision making, treatment and care of the surgical patient.

NEW FOR 2011 Interlocking Nailing for Canine Fractures
8:00am-12:00pm, Wednesday, November 2
Liz Pluhar (chair), Greg Anderson
Sponsor: Innovative Animal Products
Laboratory Fee: $575 early/ $625 late
This laboratory will provide practical, hands-on instruction on a cost effective, technically simple method of fracture stabilization. The laboratory will involve the use of interlocking nails for internal fracture fixation.  This course will include short lectures with practical information on the nailing instrumentation and application to long bone fractures, followed by a wet-lab offering the opportunity to apply this fixation method to plastic bone with long bone fractures.

NEW FOR 2011 Equine MRI
8:00am-6:00pm, Wednesday, November 2
Michael Schramme (chair), Nick Bolas, Carter Judy, Mark Martinelli, Sarah Powell, Rich Redding
Sponsor: Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging 
Laboratory Fee: $650 early/ $700 late
This wet-lab aims to review the current status of low-field and high-field MRI as a diagnostic aid in equine lameness practice. A general introduction to the pitfalls of MRI technique will be followed by in-depth instruction by leading experts in the field, covering MRI diagnosis of musculoskeletal pathology in the foot, the pastern, the fetlock, the metacarpal/metatarsal regions, and the carpus/tarsus. After didactic lectures, delegates will be able to review clinical cases in all of the above to learn the basics of MRI interpretation individually at computer stations, and will be able to share their experience in group discussions. The course will be concluded with a discussion on the treatment of difficult lameness cases diagnosed with MRI in equine practice.

***FULL*** Intermediate Stifle Arthroscopy
8:00am-6:00pm, Wednesday, November 2
Ian Holsworth (chair), Kenneth Bruecker, Chad Devitt, Steve Peterson
Sponsors: Arthrex Vet Systems, Innovative Animal Products
Laboratory Fee: $1,200 early/ $1,300 late
A focused laboratory on canine stifle arthroscopy with a combination of short, cutting-edge lectures and two wet-lab sessions spread over an eight-hour period. Lectures will cover stifle arthroscopy instrumentation, maximizing intra-articular visualization, manipulation and debridement of intra-articular stifle structures and examination and treatment of meniscal pathology. Participants will use canine cadaver stifles to perform the described techniques and will be instructed and guided through the techniques by four experienced and proficient stifle arthroscopists. This laboratory is designed for ACVS/ECVS Diplomates and residents only.

NEW FOR 2011 Hemipelvectomy in the Dog & Cat
1:00-6:00pm, Wednesday, November 2
Nicholas Bacon (chair), Jonathan Bray, Sarah Boston, James Farese
Sponsor: scil animal care company, MicroAire 
Laboratory Fee: $575 early/ $625 late
This hands-on instructional laboratory is focused on the surgical management of large pelvic and proximal thigh tumors. It will include the preliminary investigation including differential diagnoses, biopsy planning, and the use of cross-sectional imaging for accurate staging. Concepts of surgical planning including appropriate margins for tumors of different cell type and anatomical location will be discussed. The techniques for acetabulectomy, partial hemipelvectomy and total hemipelvectomy will be described in detail, followed by a discussion on complications and prognosis. The role of adjuvant treatments (chemotherapy, radiotherapy) will also be covered. The group will then split into pairs for acetabulectomy and total hemipelvectomy on canine cadavers under the instruction of a team of oncologic surgeons experienced in hemipelvectomies in small animals. Group interaction and discussion will be welcome and encouraged.  This laboratory is open to ACVS/ECVS Diplomates and Residents only.

Practical Treatment of Angular Limb Deformities in Dogs
8:00am-6:00pm, Wednesday, November 2
Brian Beale (chair), Scott Lozier, Massimo Petazzoni, Alessandro Piras
Sponsor: Innovative Animal Products, TraumaVet
Laboratory Fee: $675 early/ $725 late
Angular limb deformities in dogs are commonly seen and can lead to pain, lameness and osteoarthritis. This laboratory will discuss the principles of evaluating deformities based on the center of rotation angle (CORA) and the fundamentals of corrective osteotomy. Decision-making skills will be developed using clinical case examples. Participants will learn about and use the FIXIN locking plate system to stabilize osteotomies following correction of deformities. This system is an ideal bone plating system for the general practitioner as well as the specialty veterinarian. Plastic bone models and canine cadavers will be used to teach the techniques of osteotomy as well as the proper surgical approach to the bone.

***FULL*** Prosthetic Cranial Cruciate Ligament Replacement Surgery Introductory Course & Wet Lab
8:00am–12pm Wednesday November 2
Matthew Barnhart (chair), Harry Wotton
Sponsor: SECUROS
Laboratory Fee: $425 early/ $475 late
This half-day course and laboratory will focus on recent advances in implant technology that may allow for permanent replacement of the ruptured canine cranial cruciate ligament with a prosthetic ligament implant. The course will begin with a thorough review of the current status of prosthetic cruciate ligament technology, its applications and mechanical characteristics and the outcomes in clinical cases. Participants will have an opportunity to replace a canine cadaver cranial cruciate ligament with a prosthetic ligament implant utilizing specialized surgical technique and instrumentation.  Clinical application of this technique is currently under investigation.  This laboratory course is open to ACVS/ECVS Diplomates only.

Sliding Humeral Osteotomy
8:00am-6:00pm, Wednesday, November 2
Kurt Schulz (chair), Noel Fitzpatrick, Alex Khowaylo, Michael Khowaylo, Robert Young
Sponsor: New Generation Devices (NGD) 
Laboratory Fee: $800 early/ $850 late
This laboratory will include presentations on the background, biomechanics, surgical technique and clinical experience to date of the Sliding Humeral Osteotomy for management of canine elbow dysplasia. Lectures will be followed by a hands-on laboratory where participants will perform the procedure on plastic bones.

Small Animal Basic Minimally Invasive Surgery
8:00am-12:00pm, Wednesday, November 2, Lecture, Hyatt Regency Chicago
1:00-6:00pm, Wednesday, November 2, Laboratory, University of Illinois
Phil Mayhew (chair), Boel Fransson, Lynetta Freeman, John Huhn, Eric Monnet
Sponsors: COVIDIEN, Karl Storz Veterinary Endoscopy America, Inc. 
Laboratory Fee: $1,650 early/ $1,750 late
This laboratory will introduce participants to the concept of minimally invasive surgery in small animals. Highly experienced instructors have been selected to present lectures on the equipment required to perform MIS procedures, the principles of access to the abdominal and thoracic cavity, methods of hemostasis and a technical aspects of a variety of minimally invasive procedures. Techniques discussed and subsequently practiced in the live animal laboratory component will include laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy/ovariectomy, gastropexy, cystotomy, cryptorchidectomy, abdominal organ biopsy and feeding tube placement as well as lap-assisted intestinal resection. This laboratory is open to ACVS/ECVS Diplomates and Residents only.

Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA)
8:00am-6:00pm, Wednesday, November 2
Randy Boudrieau (chair), Slobodan Tepic, Phil Stearns
Sponsor: KYON Veterinary Surgical Products
Laboratory Fee: $850 early/ $900 late
This is an all-day laboratory designed to teach the Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA) technique for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) deficient stifle joints in dogs. The course will cover the theoretical basis for the TTA: elimination of cranial tibial shear force during ambulation—attained by advancing the tibial insertion of the patellar ligament cranially by a predetermined amount so as to place the ligament at 90º to the common tangent at the tibial plateau with the knee extended, thereby rendering the stifle joint stable throughout its functional range. The preoperative planning and surgical technique will be described in detail in a step-wise fashion, followed by an exercise with radiographs and a demonstration on a plastic bone model; each participant then will perform the procedure on a plastic bone model (which will be theirs to keep, including implants). A live [interactive] surgical demonstration via webcast also will be performed (an educational video is also given to all participants). A summary of clinical experiences from the surgical faculty, including short term complications, will be presented to conclude the session. Faculty/participant communication/interaction/discussion is encouraged throughout the course.

***FULL***Tracheal & Urethral Stenting
8:00am-12:00pm, Wednesday, November 2
Chick Weisse (chair), Matt Beal, Allyson Berent , Steve Mehler, Jeffrey Solomon
Sponsors: Infiniti Medical, LLC, COVIDIEN, Ethicon, Inc. 
Laboratory Fee: $700 early/ $750 late
The goal of the course is to introduce the participants to the interventional radiology equipment and techniques necessary to perform tracheal and urethral stenting in dogs. A one-hour lecture will present indications, proper patient selection, medical management, stent sizing, stent placement techniques and follow-up care in these patients. Case examples will be used to generate discussion. A three-hour laboratory will follow in which participants will practice stent sizing, stent reconstraining, repositioning and deployment using video and in both feline and canine cadavers under fluoroscopic guidance. There will be four stations: (1) Equipment introduction and display with instructor, (2) Practice stent deployment under visual guidance with instructor, (3) Computer training simulators for participants to choose appropriate sized stents with instructor, (4) Stent deployment in cadaver under fluoroscopic guidance. Following completion of the course, attendees should feel confident with the procedure and use of the stents.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy:  The Science Behind the Therapy for Treatment of Acute & Chronic Wounds in Veterinary Medicine
2:00-5:00pm, Wednesday, November 2
Andy Anderson (chair), Kate Young
Sponsor: KCI Animal Health 
Laboratory Fee: $300 early/$350 late
Laboratory will focus on the science and application of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for veterinary applications.  Hands on session will include techniques on applying the system for various acute/chronic wound types, bolstering of grafts/flaps, and post-surgical incision management. Procedures will be performed on canine cadavers.  This laboratory is designed for ACVS/ECVS Diplomates only.

***FULL*** Endoscopic Knot Tying & Psychomotor Exercises
9:00am-12:00pm, Saturday, November 5
Clarence Rawlings (chair), John Caron
Sponsors: Karl Storz Veterinary Endoscopy America, Inc., Ethicon, Inc.
Laboratory Fee: $350 early/ $400 late
Endoscopic surgery can require ligature placement and suture apposition of tissue as a primary means of treatment or to manage complications. This three-hour session will consist of 40 minutes of lecture interspersed with endoscopy practice. These psychomotor exercises are the SAGES “Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery,” a standard part of endoscopy training for human surgeons. Exercises include peg transfer, pattern cutting, ligation of tubular structure with ligature loop and suturing with extra- and intracorporeal techniques. Instruments will consist of the popular 5mm equipment and suture will be that which can already be found in one’s practice. Enrollment is encouraged for surgeons with endoscopy experience and a desire to further expand their surgical abilities.