Small Animal Basic Laparoscopy Course - DVM 2025

Course Objectives and Outcomes

Theoretical Foundation: Participants will gain foundational knowledge in laparoscopy, covering essential principles and techniques.

Practical Skills Development: Starting with bench-top model exercises, the course progresses to hands-on practice on live patients, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience.

Expert Guidance: Experienced instructors and equipment company representatives will provide insights and practical advice during the course, preparing students to integrate laparoscopy into their future veterinary practices.

Course Structure

Duration: This course is considered an independent study rotation and spans over four days*.

*No additional cost besides the $200 registration fee

Initial Phase (Days 1 & 2)

Lectures and videos introducing laparoscopy equipment and instrumentation. Training in basic laparoscopic skills, including peg transfer, pattern cutting, suturing, and use of the current cautery-cutting sealing devices. Learning specific laparoscopic procedures such as abdominal exploration, biopsies (spleen, liver, pancreas, kidney), and ovariectomy. Hands-on practice with laparoscopic training models/simulators.

Advanced Phase (Days 3 & 4)

Direct involvement in laparoscopic surgeries on anesthetized live dogs, functioning as primary or assistant surgeons. Each student will participate in two surgeries to ensure comprehensive exposure and skill development.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this course, participants will be equipped to start and effectively develop a safe and successful laparoscopic practice in veterinary medicine. We are excited to have you in this transformative learning experience, where you will acquire vital skills and gain the confidence to perform laparoscopic surgeries in your veterinary career.

Certification: At the end of the course, each student will receive a certificate of small animal laparoscopy course completion.

Research Project

The laparoscopy training team will collect data during the course to review and improve the program and contribute to ongoing research. The data collection will not interfere with the training program and will contribute to the continued evolution of the program.

Instructors

Dr. Ohad Levi, DVM – Organizer and principal instructor, Dr. David Clark, DVM, DABVP, Dr. Lyon Lee, DVM, PhD, DACVAA, Dr. Young Joo Kim, DVM, Dr. Maria Fahie, DVM, DACVS, Ms. Annette Chavarria-Marron, RVT, Ms. Leslie Tortez, RVT, Ms. Prisma Martinez, RVT, and additional PHC staff

Registration Fee & Payment: $200

Only credit card payments are accepted.

Registration is limited to 10 WesternU CVM 4th-year veterinary students (DVM 2025).

Cancellations and Refunds

Cancellations greater than 30 calendar days prior to the start of the course will result in a refund of 100% of registration costs.
Cancellations less than 30 days before the event's start will result in a full refund only if we can fill in your spot. Eventbrite's fee is nonrefundable.

For further information, please contact:

Miss Ana Garcia [email protected] , 909-706-5582 or Dr. Ohad Levi [email protected], 909-469-8428.

Thank you to Karl Storz–Endoskope for their continued support of the WesternU CVM Laparoscopy Training Program!

Host or Publisher Westernu - College of Veterinary Medicine