With the on-going development of new sling materials and support techniques, physicians are faced with a variety of options for dealing with the familiar problem of urinary stress incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.  This workshop will provide a unique opportunity for pelvic surgeons to evaluate, via comparison, the sling materials and reconstruction kits currently available on the US market.

Throughout this course, physicians will be exposed to traditional and “cutting edge” surgical techniques and concepts that will further his/her ability to more successfully manage the challenges posed by female pelvic organ prolapse.
Using video presentations, surgical demonstrations, and hands-on experience, surgical approaches will be reviewed and practiced in detail in a unique hands-on educational environment using unembalmed female cadavers. Specific training will be dedicated to anatomical dissections, suburethral sling procedures and placement of mesh. By the end of this course, the participants will have gained a more thoughtful approach to the management of vaginal support defects in the apical, anterior, and posterior regions.

In order to create the best possible learning environment and afford each participant maximum hands-on time, class-size is limited and each laboratory station will be assigned only three participants at any one time with rotations to surgical demonstrations and videos. The hands-on labs will be instructed and moderated by experienced faculty currently using these devices and techniques in their practices. Industry representatives will also be on-site to answer technical questions related to their specific instrumentation and equipment. Ample time will be allowed for questions and interaction with workshop faculty.

Target Audience
This educational activity is intended for surgeons in Gynecology, Urogynecology and Female Urology who are interested in furthering their understanding of female pelvic anatomy and gaining surgical confidence through practical application of cadaveric dissections and vaginal surgery techniques.

Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:

·Dissect and recognize pelvic floor support defects on a human cadaver. With this improved understanding of the relevant anatomy, physicians will be able to demonstrate multiple surgical approaches for the repair of pelvic organ prolapse.

·Describe the pertinent anatomy and the surgical steps involved in sling placement for genuine stress urinary incontinence. This knowledge should allow each physician the ability to demonstrate various techniques for the placement of suburethral slings by non-tension techniques.

·Differentiate between the different biologic and synthetic materials currently used in reparative gynecologic surgery and will gain an understanding for their appropriate usage.

Note: Successful completion of this educational activity is not recognized as certifying competence for performance of these procedures by most credentialing bodies. Privileges and ascertaining skill level are the responsibility of your local hospital and/or licensing authority.

DAY ONE - FRIDAY

Instructors have been selected for their outstanding teaching abilities and extensive surgical experience with the procedures and techniques that will be presented at this conference.

Conference Director
Scott M. Schneider, MD - Director, Center for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Presbyterian Hospital System; Attending Physician, Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, The Bradford Clinic (Charlotte, NC); Acting Medical Director, Innovations in Medical Education & Training (Collingswood, NJ)
 
Scientific Chair
Andrew W. McBride, MD - Director, Mountain States Urogynecology, Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital (Denver, CO); Clinical Instructor, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Department of Ob/Gyn (Denver, CO)
 
Additional Conference Faculty (tentative)
James S. Dunn, Jr., MD - Director, California Continence Center, Sierra View District Hospital (Porterville, CA)
 
Michael J. Kennelley, MD - Head, Section of Voiding Dysfunction & Female Urology, McKay Dept. of Urology, and Director, Charlotte Continence Center, Carolinas Medical Center; Director, Dept. of Urology, Carolinas Rehabilitation (Charlotte, NC); Clinical Assistant Professor, Dept. of Surgery, Div. of Urology, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC)

G. Bernard Taylor, MD - Director, Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery, Dept of Ob/Gyn, Carolinas Medical Center (Charlotte, NC)
 
Faculty Disclosure
All course faculty are required to disclose any financial interests, arrangements or affiliations with any company producing health care goods or services, consumed by or used on patients.  It is not assumed that these financial interests or affiliations will have an adverse impact on faculty presentations; they are simply provided to fully inform participants. Faculty financial disclosures are on file at Innovations in Medical Education & Training and full disclosure of faculty relationships will be made at the conference.

The CME Planning Committee makes every effort to resolve any potential conflicts of interest for all individuals involved in the planning and implementation of this CME activity.   The content of this CME activity was planned to be balanced, objective, and scientifically rigorous. Occasionally, faculty may express opinions that represent their own viewpoint. Conclusions drawn by participants should be derived from objective analysis of scientific data.   If any presentation includes discussion of off-label or investigational use of a commercial product, therapy or medical device, full disclosure will be made at the conference.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas & Elements of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Medical Innovations & Training Institute and Innovations in Medical Education & Training. Innovations in Medical Education & Training is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Innovations in Medical Education & Training designates this live activity for a maximum of 16.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Cognates have been applied for from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Note: Successful completion of this educational activity is not recognized as certifying competence for performance of these procedures by most credentialing bodies. Privileges and ascertaining skill level are the responsibility of your local hospital and/or licensing authority.

Standard Registration Fee:  $2495 USD

Early Bird Registration Fee: $1995 USD - Register by Early Bird Deadline & SAVE $500 (Promo Code: EARLYBIRD)

Resident/Physician Assistant Fee:  $1595 USD - Proof of Resident status required (Promo Code: RESIDENT)

Your registration payment entitles you to participation in all lecture and lab sessions and scheduled meals.  Syllabus materials will be provided on a reusable USB Flash Drive only (with slide presentations in PDF format) in order to lessen our environmental impact and reduce paper waste.

Registration Policies: Payment in full is required to guarantee your space in this workshop. Registrations are processed on a first-come/first-served basis and confirmation will be sent upon receipt of paid registration. All fees are quoted and payable in US dollars.  Payment by check must be drawn on a US bank. It is recommended that you do not book airline tickets until you receive email confirmation of your registration. Registration deadline is indicated above. Registrations received after this date will be accepted only on a space-available basis.

Refunds/Cancellations: All cancellations and requests for refunds must be received in writing no later than 3 weeks prior to course start date. Cancellations received by this deadline will be refunded less a cancellation fee of $150. No refunds will be issued after this date. Should unforeseen circumstances cause the cancellation of this course, all registrants will be notified and reasonable efforts will be made to reschedule the event as soon as possible.

Comprehensive education includes a knowledge and awareness of the medical devices and products necessary to perform the procedures presented at this course. Several of the technologies discussed in the lecture sessions will be utilized in the hands-on labs. The real-life surgical setting of this unique educational experience is made possible, in part, through technology donations from the medical device industry.

This activity may be supported by unrestricted educational grants from commercial sources.   Any grants received will be disclosed to the participants according to the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support. All grants are provided with the understanding that the supporter will not exert any influence on the content or educational development of this activity as a condition of the gift; nor will they take, or have taken any role in the selection of topics, speakers, or audience for this activity.

This activity is for educational purposes and not for the purpose of promoting any product.   Promotional activities will not be allowed in the meeting rooms and this activity will be presented with objectivity and balance.

Several companies will have representatives on hand to answer questions you may have related to their therapies, products, and/or technology. We encourage you to talk with these representatives during the scheduled break sessions to obtain information that can be a valuable resource to your practice.

All participants must complete an on-line course evaluation at the conclusion of this CME activity.  This information is reviewed by the our CME Planning Committee and is used to modify/improve the content of future installments of this CME activity.  Participants are asked to identify the changes they intend to make in their clinical practice as a result of their participation in this CME activity. Three to six months following the activity, participants will be surveyed to verify whether or not such changes have taken place (if not, why not), and what impact, if any, such changes have had on their patient care.  This additional feedback allows us to tailor future CME activities to meet any remaining educational gaps that learners may have related to the content of this activity. 

Click here to access the on-line course evaluation for the December 2-3, 2011 workshop.

All conference events will be held at the Medical Innovations & Training Institute, 1534 W. Warm Springs Road, Henderson, NV 89014.

Recommended Hotels

Conference attendees receive a discount off the Best Available Rate at these hotels.  Mention Promo Code MITI when making your reservation.

Green Valley Ranch Resort (20% discount)

5.5 miles from the conference site

2300 Paseo Verde Parkway Henderson, NV 89052

For reservations, call (702) 617-7777 or visit www.greenvalleyranchresort.com. Be sure to mention/enter promo code MITI.

Sunset Station Hotel & Casino (25% discount)

1.4 miles from the conference site

1301 West Sunset Road Henderson, NV 89014

For reservations, call (702) 547-7777 or visit www.sunsetstation.com. Be sure to mention/enter promo code MITI.

Shuttle service to the Medical Innovations & Training Institute will be provided for conference attendees staying at either Green Valley Ranch Resort or Sunset Station Hotel & Casino.

Local Airport

McCarran International Airport (LAS)

For assistance with air travel, we recommend Main Street Travel - Phone 732-828-8800; E-Mail john@mainstreettravel.net.

Ground Transportation from the Airport

Taxis are available at the airport outside of the baggage claim area. The approximate fare from the airport to either Green Valley Ranch Resort or Sunset Station Hotel & Casino is $35.

Complimentary service is available from the airport to both Green Valley Ranch Resort and Sunset Station Hotel & Casino. For details on shuttle service to Green Valley Ranch, call (702) 617-7777. For details on shuttle service to Sunset Station, call (702) 547-7777.

Visitor Information

Visit www.visitlasvegas.com.

Conference Attire

Please wear scrubs or other comfortable clothing. Thermostats in the lab rooms are kept at 65° F. Layered clothing is recommended as temperatures may vary drastically from room to room.

Seasonal Weather

December Averages – High 57°F/Low 37°F