Course Description
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s 14th Annual Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (AWR) Conference is a comprehensive two-day symposium that provides an in-depth understanding of the complexities of AWR. The purpose of this highly interactive meeting is to offer an evidence-based discussion on all aspects of AWR through didactic lectures with video education and case presentations to address the growing rate of complex hernia repairs and updates in technology and procedures. Currently, there are approximately 350,000 ventral hernia repairs performed annually in the United States and the patient population continues to be increasingly complex with significant co-morbidities. Thus, there is a significant complication rate including surgical site morbidity, readmission, and recurrence. The course is comprised of internationally renowned faculty that are a diverse group of experts chosen from the disciplines of general and plastic surgery, based upon their ongoing contributions to the field of abdominal wall reconstruction. The individual sessions will focus on patient selection and optimization, selection of surgical approach and reinforcement material, technical aspects of open and minimally invasive surgery, and management of complications. Attendees will be given much of the knowledge required to have a successful AWR practice.
Target Audience
This conference is designed to be a multidisciplinary program and is intended for a wide range of medical practitioners who are interested in the latest information regarding the treatment of abdominal wall reconstruction. The program is purposely targeted towards general, plastic and trauma surgeons, wound care specialists, residents, fellows, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, medical assistants, nurses, and other allied health professionals interested in abdominal wall reconstruction.
Learning Objectives
- Identify why preoperative preparation is necessary for optimizing patient outcomes.
- Recognize how to interpret peer reviewed literature.
- Identify the indications for biologic, synthetic, bioabsorbable mesh.
- Utilize patient optimization to reduce the incidence of surgical site occurrences.
- Utilize advanced abdominal wall reconstruction techniques to improve patient outcomes.
- Utilize advanced minimally invasive techniques for optimal patient outcomes.
- Recognize the value of plastic surgery techniques for advanced abdominal wall reconstruction.
- Manage entero-cutaneous fistulas in the setting of a hernia.
- Implement appropriate treatment options for infected abdominal wall mesh.
- Recognize the optimal management of skin and soft tissue during hernia repair.
- Implement enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) after hernia repair.
- Recognize the value of botulinum toxin A in large hernia defects.
- Evaluate and manage the common complications after component separation procedure.
- Recognize how to interpret relevant radiology studies when evaluating hernia patients.
- Recognize the importance of quality of life metrics when defining metrics of success for hernia patient.
- Recognize abdominal wall anatomy.
- Identify the roles and responsibilities of members of the healthcare team involved in the collaborative care of patients with hernias.
- Integrate a team-based approach in the care of patients with hernias.
Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, MedStar Health is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Credit Designation
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 13.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Physicians: MedStar Health designates this live activity for a maximum of 13.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
American Board of Internal Medicine MOC Credit:
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 13.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
American Board of Surgery CC Credit:
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirements of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.
MOC/CC Participation Threshold:
Learner participates by writing a reflective statement and makes a commitment to change or maintain an element of practice.
Nurses: This activity is approved for 13.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Registered Dietitians (RDs) and Dietetic Technicians, Registered (DTRs):
Completion of this IPCE activity awards 13.00 CPEUs. RDs and DTRs are to select activity type 102 on Professional Development Portfolio (PDP) activity logs.