Cadaveric Surgical Skills Course

The Christie Institute for Cancer Education has brought together four specialist advanced cadaveric surgery courses. For surgeons and senior surgical trainees working in complex cancer and reconstructive surgery across Thoracic, Pelvic Exenteration, Peritoneal / HIPEC and Abdominal Wall Reconstruction.

Each course pairs evidence-based teaching with intensive hands-on cadaveric training. You'll work through the anatomy, operative strategy and multidisciplinary decision-making behind complex procedures, then apply that thinking in a realistic surgical environment, without risk to patients. A dedicated evening session in the preceding week covers the core principles and evidence ahead of four practical course days.

Each course can be booked individually or as a combinantion. Explore the details below for full session content.

What the programme offers:

• A high tutor-to-delegate ratio, giving substantial hands-on operating time and close faculty supervision

• Individualised teaching and direct feedback from specialist and multidisciplinary faculty

• Complex procedures broken into structured, reproducible operative steps

• Discussion of patient selection, operative strategy, complications and troubleshooting alongside the technical training

• The chance to learn alongside colleagues from other specialties and centres, and build professional networks around complex surgical care

Course Details

Virtual Online Theory Session

• Tuesday 11th May 2027, 18:00 – 20:30 (GMT).

In-Person Cadaveric Workshop

• Tuesday 18th May 2027, 08:30 – 17:00 (GMT) at the Manchester Surgical Skills and Simulation Centre, University of Manchester.

Hands-on training in thoracic surgery for surgeons and senior trainees managing complex thoracic cancer.

This cadaveric course combines evidence-based teaching with supervised hands-on practice, covering thoracic anatomy, operative planning and surgical technique. You’ll explore the principles behind complex thoracic procedures, then apply them on fresh frozen cadavers in a small group with close faculty access. Further detail on the programme will follow.

Virtual Online Theory Session

• Date TBC 18:00 – 20:30 (GMT).

In-Person Cadaveric Workshop

• Wednesday 19th May 2027, 08:30 – 17:00 (GMT) at the Manchester Surgical Skills and Simulation Centre, University of Manchester.

Hands-on training in advanced pelvic oncology surgery for experienced surgeons and senior trainees.

This intensive course combines virtual theory with a full day of cadaveric practice, covering complex procedures across colorectal, gynaecological and urological oncology. You'll work through the anatomy and operative strategy behind pelvic exenteration, then apply it on fresh frozen cadavers under close faculty supervision.

What you'll learn:

Core dissection and access

• Establishing the total mesorectal excision (TME) plane

• Identifying and preserving the ureters

• Anterior and lateral bladder mobilisation

• Incision through the endopelvic fascia

Vascular and nodal management

• Managing the dorsal vein complex

• Identifying side wall vasculature and the obturator canal

• Extended lymphadenectomy

Extended procedures and reconstruction

• Sacrectomy

• Extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE)

• Omentoplasty and mesh or flap reconstruction

Who this course is for:

• Consultant colorectal, oncological, urological and gynaecological surgeons

• Clinical fellows in colorectal, gynaecological, urological and oncological surgery

Virtual Online Theory Session

• Date TBC 18:00 – 20:30 (GMT).

In-Person Cadaveric Workshop

• Thursday 20th May 2027, 08:30 – 17:00 (GMT) at the Manchester Surgical Skills and Simulation Centre, University of Manchester.

What you'll learn:

Clinical foundations

• Diagnosis and MDT coordination in peritoneal malignancy

Operative technique

• Peritoneal stripping and omentectomy

• Liver mobilisation and cholecystectomy

• Splenectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy

• Bowel resections and pelvic peritonectomy

Training uses fresh frozen cadavers in small groups, giving you direct access to faculty throughout the day.

Who this course is for

• Consultant and senior trainee colorectal, oncological, urological and gynaecological surgeons

• Surgical fellows with an interest in peritoneal surface malignancy (ST7 and above)

• Surgeons looking to extend their operative range in complex oncological procedures

Virtual Online Theory Session

• Monday 10th May 2027, 18:00 – 20:30 (GMT).

In-Person Cadaveric Workshop

• Friday 21st May 2027, 08:30 – 17:00 (GMT) at the Manchester Surgical Skills and Simulation Centre, University of Manchester.

What you'll learn:

Patient selection and planning

• The York abdominal wall reconstruction pathway and multidisciplinary patient selection

• Prehabilitation and peri-operative adjuncts, including Botox and progressive pre-operative pneumoperitoneum (PPP)

Operative technique

• Rives-Stoppa repair: anatomy, indications and key steps

• Anterior component separation

• Posterior component separation and transversus abdominis release (TAR)

• Mesh choice, plane and positioning

The cadaveric day opens with an hour-long MDT session working through complex cases before moving into supervised, hands-on dissection and reconstruction.

Who this course is for:

• Consultant and senior trainee colorectal and general surgeons managing complex hernia and abdominal wall problems

• Plastic surgeons with an interest in abdominal wall reconstruction

• Surgeons looking to build technique in Rives-Stoppa repair, component separation and TAR

Course Fees

'Hands on' Participant Fees:

1 day course attendance - £980.00

2 day course attendance - £1,800.00

3 day course attendance - £2,460.00

4 day course attendance - £3,000.00

Observer Fees:

1 day course attendance - £265.00

2 day course attendance - £480.00

3 day course attendance - £660.00

4 day course attendance - £800.00

NB. There are a limited number of participants places on each course. Payments must be received before the course. Registrations will be confirmed upon payment being received.

Venue Information

The MSSSC is centrally located within the city of Manchester and within the University of Manchester’s main campus. It is easily accessible by public transport, being a 5-minute drive from Manchester Piccadilly railway station and 20 minutes from Manchester International Airport. If travelling by car there is a NCP multi-story car park located nearby on Grafton Street, charges are applicable. There are hotels to suit every budget within walking distance or a short taxi ride.

Please see our booking Terms and Conditions here

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Correspondence in regards to any changes in the delivery of this event will be notified directly by The Christie Institute for Cancer Education.

Email [email protected] or call +44 (0) 161 446 3683