An educational laparoscopic colorectal cancer workshop which involved live procedures to demonstrate the latest in surgical techniques, was held at Netcare Pretoria East Hospital recently.
A total of 55 surgeons and interventional specialists from the private and public sectors in South Africa attended the workshop hosted by the hospital and highly experienced local laparoscopic surgeon, Dr Michael Heyns. The specialists were provided with the opportunity to participate in an interactive discussion during two live procedures.
According to Dr Heyns, who has participated in a number of advanced laparoscopic training courses in Europe and locally, minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures are increasingly being used to excise and treat colorectal cancers, and new approaches and imaging technologies are continuously being introduced to assist in improving outcomes.
He said the workshop, which was CPD (Continuing Professional Development) accredited, largely aimed to demonstrate how advanced new imaging and visualisation techniques and technologies assist in the diagnosis and guidance of laparoscopic colorectal procedures.
It focused in particular on the clinical applications of indocyanine green (ICG) enhanced fluorescence in this type of surgery. Specialists had the opportunity to ask questions and share their knowledge and expertise during this interactive forum.
“The ICG fluorescence imaging system is proving safe and adding significant value in diagnosing, planning and decision-making in colorectal laparoscopic procedures, and is increasingly being used in appropriate cases internationally.
“As a result of the advantages it offers, including enhanced visualisation of blood supply, this approach may well become a standard for appropriate cases in the near future,” added Dr Heyns.
Dr Heyns, who offers regular laparoscopic colorectal cancer workshops at Netcare Pretoria East Hospital for specialists across South Africa, said that such workshops were a way for him to “give something back” to his profession, by imparting skills he had learned during his many years as a laparoscopic surgeon.
According to the general manager of Netcare Pretoria East Hospital, Rolien Kuhne, the hospital had received much positive feedback from the participants attending the workshop.
“Dr Heyns is a key member of the surgical team at the hospital, performing a range of procedures including breast cancer, endocrine and hernia repair surgeries, among others. He has a special interest in laparoscopic colorectal surgery and has performed hundreds of procedures within this area of expertise,” she added.
“We are most grateful to him for organising these educational events and for sharing his extensive knowledge and experience with his colleagues and the wider medical fraternity in South Africa,” she concluded.
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Issued by: MNA on behalf of Netcare Pretoria East Hospital
Contact: Martina Nicholson, Graeme Swinney, Meggan Saville and Estene Lotriet-Vorster
Telephone: (011) 469 3016
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected].za