ESSENTIAL SURGICAL SKILLS
(and Principles for Aspiring Surgeons [ESSPAS])
24th May 2025
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Cardiff, Frazer Building, 126 Bute Street, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF10 5LE
About
This one-day course is aimed at providing the attendee with an overview of the essential principles, core concepts and fundamental skills relevant for foundation years and early surgical training. The course predominantly comprises of hands-on training in surgical skills using animal tissue interspersed with structured and focused teaching on the principles of management of trauma and operative surgery. With a high tutor-to-delegate ratio, this course is designed to equip the attendee with the essential surgical skills that will be expected of a clinical year medical student or junior doctor in the operating theatre. There will also be discussions on the management of patients with trauma and those presenting with surgical emergencies. Delegates will have the opportunity to practise various skills on animal tissue.
Teaching Style
Every skill is demonstrated on animal tissue or simulated models in a step-by-step manner, and the delegates are taken through each step in a structured way. Live real-time demonstration enables the delegates to appreciate the practical considerations and logistical challenges that one encounters whilst operating, and they learn to focus on the intricate details of procedures rather than only the end result. No pre-recorded edited videos will be shown during the course.
Topics Covered
- Aseptic precautions in the operating theatre
- Surgical gowning
- Closed method of gloving
- Secure knot tying:
- Reef knot
- Surgeon’s knot
- Tying at depth
- ‘Aberdeen knot’
- Securing a wound drain
- Handling of surgical instruments
- Safe use and infiltration of local anaesthesia
- Suture materials and needles
- Basic suturing techniques:
- Simple interrupted
- Simple continuous
- Subcuticular (intradermal)
- Vertical mattress
- Horizontal mattress
- Deep dermal suturing
- Purse-string suturing
- Figure of ‘8’ haemostatic stitch
- Excision of a cutaneous lesion
- Suturing an elliptical incision
- Excision of a subcutaneous cyst
- Drainage of an abscess
- Principles of repairing an extensor tendon
- Principles of repairing a flexor tendon
- Debridement of a contaminated wound
- Wound healing and principles of reconstructive surgery
- Basic flaps in plastic surgery
Learning Objectives
At the end of the course, the delegate should:- have understood the importance of aseptic precautions in surgery.
- be able to gown in a correct manner.
- be able to carry out the closed method of gloving.
- be able to tie a secure reef knot and surgeon’s knot.
- be able to tie at depth and perform an ‘Aberdeen’ knot.
- be able to handle surgical instruments correctly and dispose the sharps safely.
- be able to institute local anaesthesia in a safe and efficient manner.
- have gained an appreciation of the various suture materials and needles.
- be able to perform the basic suturing techniques.
- be able to secure a wound drain.
- be able to perform a deep dermal and haemostatic stitch.
- be able to excise a lesion and close the wound.
- be able to excise a subcutaneous cyst and close the wound.
- be able to drain an abscess and plan appropriate wound management.
- be able to debride a contaminated wound in an effective manner.
- have understood the essential concepts in wound healing and the principles of reconstructive surgery.
- be able to structure a safe initial management plan for patients presenting with trauma and emergency surgical conditions.
- have attained an understanding of the main types of flaps in plastic surgery and acquiredan appreciation of the geometry of performing a flap.
- be able to assess a hand trauma and understand the principles of repairing extensor and flexor tendons.
Reviews
Suitable For
- Medical Students
- Foundation Year Doctors
- Core Surgical Trainees
- Junior Surgeons
- Advanced Nurse Practitioners
- Surgical Nurse Practitioners
- Theatre Assistants
Quick Information
Places are currently available. | |
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Date | 24th May 2025 |
Venue Google Maps |
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Cardiff, Frazer Building, 126 Bute Street, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF10 5LE |
Course Fee | £165.00 (Medical Students from all Medical Schools will be eligible for an educational grant that will allow attendance at this course for a reduced fee. Details are available upon registration.) |
Closing Date | Places will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis and therefore we are unable to provide a precise closing date. |
No of Places | 26 |
Dress code | Professional/Semi-formal |
Downloads and Links
Feedback
- May 2024 launch
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- 6th March 2021 launch
- 19th December 2020 launch
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- July 2020 launch
- November 2019 launch
Programme
- 26th October 2024 launch
- 25th May 2024 launch
- 29th October 2023 launch
- 28th October 2023 launch
- 28th May 2023 launch
- 27th May 2023 launch
- 30th October 2022 launch
- 29th October 2022 launch
- 15th May 2022 launch
- 14th May 2022 launch
- 21st November 2021 launch
- 20th November 2021 launch
- 31st October 2021 launch
- 30th October 2021 launch
- 23rd May 2021 launch
- 22nd May 2021 launch
- 6th March 2021 launch
- December 2020 launch
- July 2020 launch
- November 2019 launch
Directions to the Venue
- From Train Station launch
- To Car Park (from East) launch
- To Car Park (from West) launch