SLS MEMBERS DO AMAZING THINGS

Advanced Laparoscopic Suturing-for the Gynecologist, Urologist, and General and Robotic Surgeon

Co-Director: Nash S. Moawad, MD, MS, FACS, FACOG
Co-Director: Mireille Truong, MD
Faculty: Charles H. Koh, MD

Description: Participants will learn the uses and limitations of laparoscopic suturing. Suturing with two hands ipsilaterally allows the needle to operate in the sagittal plane, while permitting a restful and relaxed attitude of the elbows, forearms and hands. This course equips all attendees with improved suturing skills and insight into applications during surgery.

Objectives: Course participants will be better able to understand ergonomics, theory and rationale for reproducible and efficient laparoscopic suturing; learn port positions, instruments and tips to minimize fulcrum and maximize efficiency, perform interrupted suturing, continuous suturing, cinch knotting; apply learned skills in relevant surgical situations across specialties; and the prevention and management of bowel, bladder and ureteral complications by appropriate suture repair. A pre-test and post-test will demonstrate improvement in skills.

Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: Removing Variability from Setup and Exposure (Non-CME)

 Presented by Moon Surgical

Capacity: 6 attendees / 2 participants per time slot:
8:00am | 9:15am | 10:30am

Registrants will be assigned to one of the time slots and will be notified of their assignment via email.

This course is only available with full conference registration.

Description: Variability in laparoscopic hysterectomy usually starts before the dissection begins. This hands-on lab provides gynecologic surgeons with faculty-guided practice in utilizing Maestro during the steps that most often introduce delays or slow a case: port placement, patient positioning, uterine manipulator setup, exposition, and surgical technique for hysterectomy and adnexal procedures.

Exercises are performed with the Maestro® AI-powered surgical platform, which provides stable visualization and controlled retraction while participants use their standard laparoscopic instruments and techniques.

Target audience: practicing gynecologic surgeons, MIGS fellows and residents, and OR teams in high-volume gynecologic centers.

Objectives: Participants will be better able to:
• Sequence port placement, positioning, and uterine manipulator setup for efficient pelvic access

• Apply consistent positioning and instrument management to make case-to-case performance more predictable
• Maintain stable exposure and visualization through the key steps of hysterectomy and adnexal procedures
• Troubleshoot common intraoperative challenges without losing the workflow
• Deploy Maestro in their procedures to achieve predictable, efficient laparoscopic gynecological cases. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Removing Variability from Setup and Exposure The difference between a fast case and a slow one is often decided before the first dissection. This hands-on lab gives general surgeons faculty-guided practice while using the Maestro platform, in port placement, patient positioning, exposure of Calot’s triangle, camera management, and retraction. Participants run the sequence with direct coaching at each step, then work through the situations that most often make one case behave differently from the last. Exercises are performed with the Maestro® AI-powered surgical platform, which provides stable visualization and controlled retraction while participants use standard laparoscopic instruments and techniques. Target audience: practicing general surgeons, general surgery and MIS fellows and residents, and OR teams in high-volume general surgery centers. Participants will be better able to:
• Sequence port placement and OR setup for efficient access to Calot’s triangle
• Apply consistent positioning and instrument management to make case-to-case performance more predictable
• Maintain camera management and retraction through the critical view of safety
• Troubleshoot common intraoperative challenges without losing the workflow

Course Format & Logistics

Duration: (3) 1 Hour Sessions | Single Station (8:00 am, 9:15 am, and 10:30 am)

Participants: 6 maximum | 2 participants/session

Course Flow

10 mins: Welcome & orientation

10 mins: Live Demonstration

20 – 30 mins: Hands-On Rotation

10 mins: Debrief

Key Components of the Lab

1. Workflow
2. Learn a standardized approach to OR setup, surgeon positioning, and workflow that promotes consistent performance across laparoscopic procedures
   b. Explore practical strategies to improve efficiency, visualization and exposure while preserving familiar laparoscopic techniques
3. Procedure-Specific Technical Skills
   a. Hands on practice of the critical steps in the procedure
   b. Develop techniques for optimizing port placement, exposure, visualization and instrument coordination
4. Faculty – led hands on coaching
   a. Experienced minimally invasive surgeons provide live demonstration, individualized instruction and real time feedback throughout the lab
   b. Small group instruction (2 participants per session) maximized hands on practice and interaction with faculty
5. Applied workflow & intraoperative decision making
   a. Apply practical solutions to common workflow challenges including exposure, visualization, instrument collisions, and OR team coordination
   b. Discuss efficiency pearls that improve procedural consistency, ergonomics, and scalability in everyday laparoscopic practice

The Pain Challenge: Achieving Optimal Outcomes in Minimally Invasive Surgery

Director: Jorge Carrillo, MD, MHPE
Faculty: Mario Castellanos, MD; Georgine Lamvu, MD, MPH

This comprehensive session that would include:

1. Pain Physiology and Anatomy: A foundational review.
2. Postoperative Pain Management: Exploring both opioid and non-opioid pathways.
3. Refractory Pain: Addressing what to do when standard management fails, including a discussion on other potential pain generators (musculoskeletal, neurological, and nociplastic).
4. Interventional Procedures: An overview of postoperative pain management blocks and Trigger Point Injections (TPI).

Endometriosis: A Multidisciplinary Disease Requiring Multidisciplinary Management

Co-Director: Megan Kennedy Burns, MD, MA, FACOG, FACS, MIGS
Co-Director: Juan L. Salgado Morales, MD, FACOG, FACS, MIGS
Faculty: Thiers Soares Raymundo, MD, Dr.h.c.; Mariona Rius, MD; Megan Wasson, DO, FACOG, FACS; Zhaomin (Tim) Xu, MD, MPH

Description: Endometriosis frequently requires advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgical management involving multiple pelvic organ systems. Successful minimally invasive outcomes depend on precise preoperative imaging, strategic surgical planning, and multidisciplinary collaboration. This SLS Master Class will provide surgeons with a structured, evidence-based approach to integrating targeted ultrasound and MRI into preoperative planning for complex endometriosis cases. The course will emphasize how imaging guides robotic and laparoscopic surgical technique selection, team assembly, and intraoperative decision-making to optimize outcomes while maintaining minimally invasive standards.

Objectives: At the conclusion of this SLS Master Class, participants will be able to: Interpret advanced pelvic ultrasound and MRI findings relevant to minimally invasive endometriosis surgery. Use imaging to anticipate surgical complexity and select appropriate laparoscopic or robotic techniques. Coordinate multidisciplinary surgical care for bowel, bladder, ureteral, and diaphragmatic disease. Match preoperative imaging findings to specific surgical approaches and instruments. Conduct structured postoperative debriefings to improve imaging interpretation and surgical planning.

Nuts & Bolts of Professional Practice: What They Didn’t Teach You in Medical School

Director: Raymond J. Lanzafame, MD, MBA
Faculty: Jessica Ybanez-Morano, MD, MPH; Paul Toomey, MD; Richard Giller, JD; Louis Terminello, Esq

Current undergraduate medical education and postgraduate surgical residency programs are focused on providing necessary knowledge and skills to successfully understand, diagnose and treat patients. However, there is a lack of education on the business and economics of professional practice, including academic or community practice, employment contracts, malpractice insurance, and opportunities for career advancement, among other topics. This program is designed for students, residents, fellows and others exploring career paths and opportunities, as well as others who might be considering changes to their current practice or its location. Course faculty will discuss private, academic and employed practice scenarios; contract basics including termination clauses and non-compete agreements, malpractice insurance; career advancement; coaching/mentoring and support systems; how to write and review scientific papers and grants; and disability and retirement planning. Objectives: Participants will gain a better understanding the business, economic and personal impact of professional practice and will gain insights to enable them to navigate a career as a surgeon and succeed.