 Chareles J. Prestigiacomo, MD, demonstrates a procedure during Endovascular Techniques for Residents, a new AANS course held April 1 at MERI in memphis. |
The endovascular course was the brainchild of Jon H. Robertson, MD, AANS president-elect and Development Committee chair. He selected Robert H. Rosenwasser, MD, to serve as course director based on his reputation and extensive expertise in the ever-growing endovascular neurosurgery field. Dr. Rosenwasser designed the course with topical instruction and instrumentation that would appeal to senior residents interested in advanced training in endovascular procedures, including arterial and venous femoral access; therapies for aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations; use of mechanical devices to treat strokes; carotid angioplasty; and stenting.
Dr. Rosenwasser chose course faculty who provided additional endovascular expertise, including B. Gregory Thompson, MD, Elad I. Levy, MD, Erol Veznedaroglu, MD, and Charles J. Prestigiacomo, MD.
Residents attended a morning of didactic instruction that included presentations on hemorrhagic and ischemic disease and then performed endovascular techniques using balloons and catheters on live hogs. A simulator provided by Cordis gave residents an opportunity to develop endovascular skills using the same equipment they will use on actual patients, but in an environment that provides instructive feedback as they progress on the learning curve.
Comments provided by participants indicated that the program was outstanding. “Learning how to manipulate catheters and wires and experiencing how it feels in a real brain was so helpful along with learning how to use the stent and deploy it,” noted Sheila Smitherman, senior resident at Baylor. “Overall, the lab was superb.”
Warren Roberts, senior resident at Portland University, summarized the course as “[an] excellent presentation of topics [that are] extremely important in the training of neurosurgeons.” Residents also overwhelmingly expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet with the endovascular thought leaders and learn concepts from renowned experts in the field.
“This course was designed to be an introduction for neurosurgical residents to endovascular techniques,” said Dr. Robertson. “It represents a wonderful educational experience which will influence those in training to consider a career in endovascular neurosurgery.”
What made this course so unique was that it forged a perfect marriage between corporations and education. Support for this course was secured from corporate partners Boston Scientific, Micrus Endovascular and Cordis Neurovascular Inc. For these corporate sponsors, the course provided an opportunity to interact with residents on a variety of levels. Industry representatives participated side by side with residents and displayed their newest technologies as well as provided instruction on how to use the equipment.
“The number of work stations [in the animal lab] was ideal, giving everyone the opportunity for hands-on experience with each product and procedure,” commented Roberto Refeca of the Regulatory Affairs Department of Cordis Neurovascular, Inc. “Where necessary, the residents were able to repeat procedures as they desired because resources were not restricted.”
The generous corporate financial support made it feasible for the AANS to provide neurosurgical residents considering fellowship opportunities in endovascular techniques with a specialized learning opportunity that the AANS would be unable to provide on its own. In order to participate in the endovascular course, the corporate sponsors agreed to become members of the AANS Pinnacle Partners Program. Each company invested an additional $25,000 beyond the cost of the course for future funding of neurosurgical education and research opportunities.
“Generous corporate support provides advanced educational instruction that augments resident learning,” said John A. Wilson, MD, chair of the AANS Education and Practice Management Committee. “I look forward to working closely with the Development Committee on similar initiatives.”
The AANS continues to invest in educational offerings for residents. Two additional courses have been scheduled for 2006, including a minimally invasive spine course in August at MERI and a socioeconomic course for senior residents in September.
Joni L. Shulman
is AANS associate executive director, education and meetings.