The minimal invasive CME programme is a training initiative by ESCP's European School of Coloproctology to promote minimal invasive complete mesocolic excision for colon cancer.
We regret that the October 2023 course in Copenhagen, Denmark has had to be postposed, but will be held at a later date in 2024.
Overall programme
The overall programme aim is to enable skilled minimal invasive surgeons to become proficient in performing minimal invasive CME with central vascular ligation. This is achieved in several steps:
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Surgeons interested to participate in the programme will be selected according to selection criteria. |
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Successful candidates will be invited to a 2-day intensive course. |
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On an individual basis, the candidates and the faculty members can arrange visits at the faculty member’s hospital, or the faculty member can proctor the candidates online or in person at their own hospitals. Not included in the fee. |
Course
- Two-day course with the aims:
- To understand the rationale of CME
- To master the anatomy, preoperative planning and surgical strategy
- To safely handle intraoperation complications including vascular injury
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Focus will mainly be right-sided colon resections, but left-sided colon resection will be covered
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The course is based on multiple video sessions with focus on anatomy and a standardised stepwise surgical procedure.
Proctorship
- During the course, the highly qualified faculty members and the candidates are able to arrange further cooperation e.g., visit at the faculty members’ hospitals and supervision.
Venue and Dates
- Hotel SP34, Copenhagen, Denmark: Tuesday 24 to Wednesday 25 October 2023
Course structure
Day 1 - 24 October 2023
Time | Session |
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08:45 - 09:00 |
RegistrationA late start will allow participants to travel in the morning if they wish to do so. |
09:00 - 09:30 |
Introduction - FacultyPurpose, overview of training programme, aim and structure of course, introduction of all participants, addressing personal aims, expectations, concerns. |
09:30 - 10:00 |
Rationale for CMECurrent level of evidence, limitations, rationale for CME and for minimal invasive approach. Indications and patient selection based on preoperative staging. |
10:00 - 10:35 |
AnatomyThe surgical anatomy of the colon. Main focus on the right sided CME. Introduction to AMIGO - preoperative CT assessment of the vascular anatomy |
10:35 -10:50 | Short pause |
10:50 - 11:30 |
Minimal invasive CME for right-sided colon tumoursThe surgical strategy in minimal invasive right-sided CME, right hemicolectomy and extended right hemicolectomy. |
11:30 - 12:30 |
Interactive video session IFaculty video presenting the procedure stepwise, focus on anatomy including AMIGO and surgical technique. Interactive discussion. |
12:30 - 13:30 | Lunch |
13:30 - 14:30 |
Group sessionInteractive session guide by the faculty with focus on AMIGO and anatomy based on CT scanning, 3-D reconstructions and videos |
14:30 - 15:20 |
Interactive video session IIFaculty video presenting the procedure stepwise, focus on anatomy including AMIGO and surgical technique. Interactive discussion. |
15.20 - 15:30 | Short pause |
15:30 - 16:15 |
Interactive video session IIIFaculty video presenting the procedure stepwise, focus on anatomy including AMIGO and surgical technique. Interactive discussion. |
16:15 - 17:00 |
Interactive module: Crisis management IExamples of bad performance, recovery mechanisms. |
17:00 - 17:10 | Short pause |
17:10 - 18:00 |
Interactive video session IVFaculty video presenting the procedure stepwise, focus on anatomy including AMIGO and surgical technique. Interactive discussion. |
18:00 - 18:15 |
Questions and closure - Faculty |
Day 2 - 25 October 2023
Time | Session |
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08:00 - 08:20 |
Welcome and reflectionA brief summary of day 1 and main learning points by interactive discussion with participants |
08:20 - 09:10 |
Interactive video session VFaculty video presenting the procedure stepwise, focus on anatomy including AMIGO and surgical technique. Interactive discussion. |
09:10 - 09:50 |
Group session - Anatomy revisitedThe surgical anatomy of the right colon including AMIGO – preoperative CT assessment of the vascular anatomy |
09:50 - 10:00 | Short pause |
10:00 - 10:45 |
Interactive video session VIFaculty video presenting the procedure stepwise, focus on anatomy including AMIGO and surgical technique. Interactive discussion. |
10:45 - 11:30 |
Interactive video session VIIFaculty video presenting the procedure stepwise, focus on anatomy including AMIGO and surgical technique. Interactive discussion. |
11:30 - 12:00 |
Interactive module: Crisis management IIExamples of bad performance, recovery mechanisms. The ones we have not discussed in the interactive video sessions. |
12:00 - 12:45 | Lunch |
12:45 - 14:15 |
Left colon including splenic flexure and distal transverse colonStrategy, anatomy, resections according to CME - video vignettes. |
14:15 - 14:30 | Short pause |
14:30 - 15:15 |
Repetition - on the participants requestDiscussion and feed-back from the participants |
15:15 - 15:30 |
What next? - FacultyExplanation of proctorship possibilities, postoperative video assessment, visits to faculty members hospitals, 1st case selection process, formal issues. |
15:30 | Closure of course |
Faculty
- Adam Stearns (Norwich, UK)
- Anders Bertelsen (Hillerød, Denmark)
- Danilo Miskovic (London, UK)
- Heiko Aselmann (Hannover, Germany)
- Kristian Storli (Bergen, Norway)
- Roland Croner (Magdeburg, Germany)
- Stefan Benz (Böblingen, Germany)
Costs
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The overall programme cost is €2200 per surgical team and includes two nights accommodation at Hotel SP34, Copenhagen, Denmark:
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A reduced fee of €1500 may be offered to teams from Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Egypt, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine.
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Costs exclude travel for the two-day course in Copenhagen.
Application process
Selection criteria
- Teams of two surgeons per hospital
- Appropriate experience
- Surgeons should be proficient in laparoscopic or robot-assisted colorectal surgery
- Minimum experience 50+ laparoscopic or robot-assisted colorectal resections
- Board certified (e.g. EBSQ, FRCS, Specialist in General and/or Coloproctology)
- Institutional experience
- Annual turnover of colon and rectum cancer of >50/year
- Accessibility to appropriate laparoscopic or robot-assisted infrastructure
This will involve submission of the following:
- Number of following procedures in the last five years:
- Laparoscopic or robot-assisted segmental colectomy or rectum resection
- How many operations for colorectal cancer are performed in your unit annually
- CV
- Letter of support from Head of Department or Hospital Director confirming:
- 1) Laparoscopic or robot-assisted segmental colectomy or rectum resection,
- 2) How many operations for colorectal cancer are performed in your unit annually
- Maximum capacity of 10 surgical teams of 2 (20 places in total)
Any questions please send to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for the attention of Vanessa McCourt and Rosemary Parker
Once your registration has been approved by the course organiser, you will then be able to pay the course fees.
APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN IN DUE COURSE