Minimally invasive endoluminal surgery techniques offer remarkable benefits for colorectal patients. In addition to increased safety and the possibility of avoiding a colon resection, most endoluminal patients can expect a recovery time measured in days instead of the weeks of recovery that a colon resection patient can expect. Unfortunately, these advanced techniques are new enough that patients in many parts of the country don’t have access to them. Sang Lee, MD, and the surgeons in USC’s Division of Colorectal Surgery are working hard to change that.

For the 8th year, Dr. Lee, the Chief of Colorectal Surgery at Keck Medicine of USC, is running his Advanced Endoscopic and Endoluminal Surgery Master Class, an event that draws nearly half the colorectal surgery fellows in the country every year. The course is designed for current ACG fellows, but this year’s class also drew general surgery residents, a few medical students, and one USC undergraduate who heard about the class and was welcomed in. This year’s first session was March 7th and 8th, and the second session on April 4th and 5th.

After a morning didactic session, symposium participants spend the afternoon rotating through 13 different stations with that offer the chance to try out the latest endoscopic and endoluminal technology. “It’s a hands-on course. Even though there’s a high demand, we limit it to 25 or 30 participants maximum so they can rotate through all the stations and get all their time on the equipment,” said Dr. Lee.

Kyle Cologne, MD, an associate professor with the Division of Colorectal Surgery, elaborated: “People coming from other parts of the country may not have had a chance to see these techniques, practice the techniques, or use the equipment. This can be a huge opportunity for a colorectal fellow, and we want to make sure they get the most out of it.”

Cologne watched along on a video display as a colorectal fellow maneuvered a tiny instrument with an in-built light and worked to grasp a potential polyp. “This is not easy,” explained Dr. Cologne. “If you have the chance to practice on the colon from a dead calf instead of one in a live patient, you’re going to take it.”

The symposium took place at the USC Health Sciences Conference Center, as it has since the Center opened. Angela Martinez, administrator of the Surgical Skills Simulation & Education Center, explained that the nearby space makes the scope of the course possible: “It’s a tremendous asset for us. It allows us to broaden the reach of our high-demand courses beyond the capacity of the Skills Center. Additionally, it holds significant importance for our industry partners, as they can bring in larger equipment, offering participants a truly immersive hands-on experience.

Dr. Lee acknowledged the hard work of the Skills Center team, who coordinate the event and set up and break down the Conference Center space. “It’s so much complex work, but somehow they pull it off smoothly.”

Dr. Lee expects that the annual event will continue to be in high demand in future years. “Endoluminal surgery is having and will continue to have a huge impact on our field,” he explained. “It’s important to be aware of what’s going on, be involved, and continue training.”

If you are interested in arranging an advanced anatomical skills event at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, please reach out to Angela Martinez at angela.martinez@med.usc.edu.