General info
Join this exclusive two-day advanced training focused on the intricacies of robotic-assisted esophagectomy (RAE). Led by world-renowned experts Prof. Dr. Jelle Ruurda and Prof. Dr. Richard van Hillegersberg, this course is designed for upper GI surgeons with significant robotic experience, looking to refine their technique and deepen their understanding of esophageal cancer surgery using the da Vinci platform.
Over the course of two full days, participants will gain hands-on experience with cadaveric models and a structured, step-by-step approach to both the abdominal and thoracic phases of RAE. With a strong focus on standardization and safety, you’ll master complex elements like port placement, tissue manipulation, conduit creation, and reconstruction techniques, guided closely by experienced faculty.
What you will learn
- Step-by-step training in advanced robotic techniques for esophageal cancer
- Focus on both abdominal and thoracic phases
- Covers port placement, tissue handling, esophageal exposure, and reconstruction
Prerequisites
- Access to a da Vinci surgical system
- Basic proficiency with the robotic platform
- Minimum of 50 completed robotic procedures in upper gastrointestinal surgery
Faculty
Program
Arrival & introduction to the course
Objectives within the abdominal phase of the esophagetomy
- Patient selection and preparation
- Port placement and docking
- Dissection of greater omentum
- Dissection of lesser omentum
- Creation of gastric conduit
- Securing the conduit for thoracic phase
Coffee break & change into scrubs
Hands-on session part I – Human cadaver abdominal phase
- Port placement and patient positioning – docking process
- Greater omentum dissection – left until right side to pylorus
- Attention on gastric arteries
- Preservation of omental flap
Lunch at the Orsi restaurant
Hands-on session part II – Human cadaver abdominal phase
- Creation of gastric conduit
- Mobilization esophageal hiatus
- Free up area beneath esophagus
- Lesser omentum incised –circumferentially dissection of esophagus
- Pylorus mobilization to hiatus + creation of gastric conduit
- Securing conduit for entery thorax
- Jejunostomy placement
Discussion & wrap up
Faculty dinner
Arrival and debrief of abdominal phase
Objectives within the thoracic phase of the esophagetomy
- Port placement, patient positioning and docking
- Opening pleura
- Esophagus dissection
- Entery of distal esophagus and gastric conduit
- Securing the conduit for thoracic phase (entery + tension reduction for anastomosis)
- Hand-sewn technique
- Pitfalls with the procedures
Coffee break and change into scrubs
Hands-on session part I – human cadaver thoracic phase
- Port placement and patient positioning – docking process
- Dissection of the pleura from azygous vein to diaphragm
- Dissection of pulmonary ligament and associated nudal tissue (subcarinal and nodes around left right bronchi stem)
Lunch at the Orsi restaurant
Hands-on session part II – human cadaver thoracic phase
- Transsection of proximal esophagus
- Robotic stapling of esopphagus from gastric conduit + fixation
- Back wall anastomosis
- Placement of nasogatric tube
- Front wall anastomosis
- Placement of omental flap – protection airway
- Right hemidiaphragm to avoid hernation
Discussion and wrap-up
Prices
Standard fee (incl. VAT)
Since this training is held in Belgium and Orsi Academy is the event organiser, Belgian VAT (currently 21%) must be charged on the participation fee, regardless of the participant’s country of establishment or VAT registration status.
The reverse charge mechanism does not apply to admission to physical events. Therefore, even EU VAT-registered businesses are subject to Belgian VAT for in-person training taking place in Belgium.
Videos
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