Advanced Certificate in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery

Key Learning Objectives

• Discuss the pathophysiology of diseases of the stomach including hypertrophic pylorogastropathy and gastric neoplasia
• Describe causes of and treatment options for gastric perforation
• Be familiar with the indications, maintenance and complications associated with placement of gastrostomy and enterostomy tubes
• Outline the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of hiatal hernia

Includes a practical session where gastrostomy and enterostomy tube placement, pyloroplasty techniques, gastrectomy, diaphragmatic myotomy, caudal median sternotomy and oesophagopexy can be practised.

Key Learning Objectives

• Explain the physiology of the colon and rectum
• Be familiar with specific diseases of the colon including megacolon, volvulus and neoplasia
• Outline techniques available for resection of the colon and rectum and the associated peri-operative, long-term complications and prognosis
• Describe the pathophysiology of rectal disease including neoplasia, perforation and anorectal strictures
• Discuss the medical and surgical options for treatment of anal sac neoplasia and prognosis for patients with this condition

Includes a practical session where typhlectomy, colonic resection and anastomosis, subtotal colectomy, anal sacculectomy, rectal pull through and the abdominal approach for dissection of metastatic sub-lumbar lymph nodes can be practised.

Key Learning Objectives

• Explain the physiology of the liver and biliary system
• Describe available surgical options for liver lobectomy and the prognosis associated with hepatic neoplasia in the dog and cat
• Outline the pathophysiology of hepatic abscesses and cysts
• Discuss the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of extrahepatic biliary obstruction and gallbladder mucocele
• Be familiar with the clinical presentation of traumatic biliary rupture and the surgical procedures required to treat it

Includes a practical session where liver lobectomy (sutured and stapled), cholecystectomy and cholecystoduodenostomy (sutured and stapled) can be practised.

Key Learning Objectives

• Discuss the pathophysiology of abdominal hernias
• List the surgical options for repair of hernias using autologous or synthetic materials
• Describe emergency stabilisation and surgery for traumatic hernias including when incarceration and/or strangulation has occurred
• Outline the pathophysiology of traumatic and congenital diaphragmatic hernias such as pleuroperitoneal and peritoneopericardial hernias
• Explain the pathophysiology of perineal herniation and the decision-making process for selection of an appropriate surgical procedure for their repair in individual cases

Includes a practical session where abdominal wall reconstruction by external abdominal oblique myofascial flap and cranial sartorius muscle flap, use of polypropylene mesh, omentalisation, internal obturator transposition, semitendinosus muscle flap, cystopexy, vas deferens pexy and colopexy can be practised.

Key Learning Objectives

• Discuss the pathophysiology of urolithiasis and treatment options for calculi within the kidney, ureter, bladder and/or urethra
• Describe urinary tract neoplasia – types, treatment options and prognosis
• Outline the pathophysiology and management of ureteral obstruction including the decision-making process for treatment of individual cases
• Be familiar with available options for treatment of ureteral obstruction including surgery, lithotripsy and stenting
• Discuss the pathophysiology of urinary incontinence
• List the pros and cons of a variety of surgical treatments for urinary incontinence including laser ablation of ectopic ureters, hydraulic occluders, collagen injections and colposuspension

Includes a practical session where nephrotomy, nephrectomy, ureterotomy in dogs, ureteral reimplantation, colposuspension and cystopexy can be practised.

Key Learning Objectives

• Explain the pathogenesis of congenital disorders affecting the lips in dogs including cleft palate, abnormal lip conformation, tight lip syndrome, lower lip redundancy and eversion
• Discuss management options and surgical principles for treatment of congenital disorders of the oral cavity
• List the main neoplasms affecting the nasal planum, premaxilla and oral cavity, including the tonsils and tongue
• Be familiar with surgical options for treatment of a variety of oral neoplasms and management of the possible associated post-operative complications
• Describe the options for surgical management of traumatic lesions affecting the oral cavity, lips and cheeks

Includes a practical session where mandibulectomy, maxillectomy, glossectomy, nasal planum reconstruction, palate and lip reconstruction can be practised.

Key Learning Objectives

• Describe the physiology of the pancreas, thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands
• Outline appropriate staging of endocrine neoplasia using aspiration, biopsy and imaging
• Discuss non-surgical options for the management of endocrine neoplasia
• Be able to discuss the peri-operative management of patients undergoing adrenalectomy
• Explain the options for managing surgical complications associated with endocrine surgery

Includes a practical session where thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, partial pancreatectomy, adrenalectomy and vena cava venotomy can be practised.

Key Learning Objectives

• Summarise wound classification and types of management available
• Be familiar with wound healing
• Describe the different types of subdermal plexus flaps
• Discuss the most reliable axial pattern and myocutaneous flaps and their most common complications
• Explain the classification and healing process of free skin grafts
• Outline the theory behind negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and how it can be used with success

Includes a practical session where free skin grafts, subdermal plexus, axial pattern and myocutaneous flaps can be practised.

Key Learning Objectives

• Discuss the pathophysiology and clinical presentation on specific conditions of the nasopharynx
• Describe the surgical options for treatment of nasopharyngeal polyps
• Be familiar with the causes of and management of nasopharyngeal stenosis
• Outline available treatment options for neoplasia of the nasal planum and nasal cavity
• Explain the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of specific conditions affecting the ear canal and middle ear

Includes a practical session where ventral and dorsal rhinotomy, ventral approach to nasopharynx, Total ear canal ablation-lateral bulla osteotomy and ventral bulla osteotomy will be performed.

Key Learning Objectives

• Describe how animals in respiratory distress can best be managed to reduce morbidity/mortality and improve surgical outcomes
• Discuss the aetiology and clinical findings associated with laryngeal paralysis
• Explain the pathophysiology of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome
• List indications for temporary and permanent tracheostomy and be able to select an appropriate tube
• Outline the indications and considerations for tracheal resection and anastomosis

Includes a practical session where arytenoid lateralisation, staphlectomy and folding palatoplasty, wedge rhinoplasty, resected of everted laryngeal saccules, partial arytenoidectomy, temporary/permanent tracheostomy and tracheal resection/anastomosis can be practised.

Key Learning Objectives

• Be familiar with the challenges encountered treating thoracic trauma and stabilising patients with severe injuries
• Discuss the aetiology and clinical findings associated with conditions that might require lung lobectomy such as cysts, bullae, lung abscessation, laceration, torsion and pulmonary neoplasia
• Describe the clinical findings and surgical options for treatment of thoracic wall tumours
• Outline pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment options associated with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
• Illustrate an understanding of the principles of thoracoscopically assisted thoracic surgery

Includes a practical session where intercostal and rib resection thoracotomy, lung lobectomy, location of PDA and thoracoscopy can be practised.

Key Learning Objectives

• Explain the aetiology and clinical findings associated with chylothorax
• Review the surgical principles and indications for intra-thoracic oesophageal surgery
• Discuss the aetiology and clinical findings associated with pectus excavatum
• Describe the pros and cons of median sternotomy and when this approach should be selected
• Outline the surgical approach for ablation of a neoplastic right atrium  

Includes a practical session where median sternotomy, subtotal pericardectomy, caudal thoracotomy/location of the site for ligation of the thoracic duct, transdiaphragmatic approach for ligation of the thoracic duct/cisterna chyli ablation and pleural port placement can be practised.

Key Learning Objectives

• Describe the clinical presentation and treatment options for uterine prolapse, rupture and dystocia
• Explain the pathophysiology of specific conditions such as vestibulovaginal stenosis, recessed vulva, vaginal oedema and prolapse, neoplasia of vagina, vestibule and vulva
• Be familiar with a variety of laparoscopic ovariectomy techniques
• Outline the pathophysiology and clinical signs associated with specific penile disorders such as hypospadia, paraphimosis, penile wounds and tumours

Includes a practical session where vulvoplasty, episiotomy, partial vaginal resection, laparoscopic ovariectomy, partial penile amputation, phallopexy and preputial advancement can be practised

Key Learning Objectives

• Summarise the pathophysiology and classification of peritonitis
• Explain the pathophysiology associated with penetrating peritoneal injuries, haemoabdomen, uroabdomen, chylous peritonitis, biliary peritonitis and intra-abdominal abscesses
• Discuss the pathophysiology and clinical findings associated with hepatic vascular abnormalities such as PSS and hepatic arteriovenous malformations
• Outline the medical, surgical and interventional options for treatment of hepatic vascular abnormalities

Includes a practical session where Jackson Pratt abdominal draining, partial cystectomy, biliary stent placement, practical review of hepatic vascular anatomy, vascular dissection and vessel attenuation by placement of an ameroid constrictor and cellophane banding can be practised.