Fellowship & Diploma in
Minimal Access Surgery

Participant Registration, Kit Delivery, Photoshoot, Orientation with Faculty.

Covers the definition, significance, key milestones (first laparoscopic cholecystectomy), technological advancements (HD cameras, 3D imaging), patient selection and safety protocols.

Expert-level knowledge and hands-on proficiency in all essential laparoscopic instruments — Graspers, Scissors, Dissectors, Trocars, and Laparoscopic Cameras (0°, 30°, 45°). Emphasis on ergonomic design principles, controlled force application, and optimal instrument-tissue alignment. Sterilization methods: Autoclaving, ETO, Hydrogen Peroxide Plasma, and Chemical Disinfection.

Develops hand-eye coordination, depth perception, steadiness, and muscle memory before operating on patients. Strengthens left-hand control — essential for traction, counter-traction, tissue exposure, and needle handling.

Dedicated training where general surgeons and urologists master laparoscopic suturing and knotting through step-by-step demonstration and hands-on practice. The session covers extracorporeal knot techniques — Roeder's and Meltzer's knots — practiced on free structures and advanced to critical anatomical targets such as the appendix, cystic duct, splenic artery, and renal artery. Participants then refine continuous structure knotting and laparoscopic square knot application for procedures including fundoplication, Burch suspension, partial nephrectomy, and rectal prolapse repair. Through repeated tissue-based practice, surgeons and urologists build the precision, knot security, and ergonomic efficiency required for safe, reproducible laparoscopic outcomes across gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, and urological case profiles.

Observe, assist, perform and analyse complex surgical cases with expert faculty. Real-time decision-making, best practices and complication management. OT list shared the day prior.

Comprehensive demonstration and discussion of the principles behind laparoscopic port access instruments, dissecting instruments, grasper applications, and scissor selection — tailored for general surgeons and urologists. The session covers closed and open access techniques, including Hasson's technique, Visiport, and safety trocars, with emphasis on safe abdominal entry across varied patient profiles. Practical insights into instrument design, tissue handling, and access-site selection prepare surgeons and urologists to confidently initiate and navigate laparoscopic procedures while minimizing access-related complications.

Key structures, port placement, organ relationships. Abdominal wall layers, peritoneal spaces, major vessels (aorta, IVC), and pelvic anatomy for gynecological, urological and colorectal procedures.A focused lecture highlighting the critical role of abdominal, pelvic, and ureteric anatomy in preventing complications and ensuring surgical success for general surgeons and urologists. Through case-based discussions — including right hemicolectomy with ureteric identification, anterior resection with pelvic dissection, ureteric reimplantation, donor nephrectomy, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, and repair of iatrogenic ureteric injury during colorectal or gynaecological procedures — participants learn to navigate key anatomical landmarks, vascular relationships, and ureteric course variations. This session equips surgeons with the anatomical foresight and tissue awareness needed to avoid ureteric and vascular injury, optimize dissection planes, and improve patient outcomes across complex open and laparoscopic procedures.

Observe, assist, perform and analyse complex surgical cases with expert faculty. Real-time decision-making, best practices and complication management. OT list shared the day prior.

A focused lecture on the safe and effective use of energy devices in laparoscopic surgery for general surgeons and urologists. The session covers Monopolar electrosurgery for rapid cutting during cholecystectomy and colorectal resections, Bipolar energy for precise hemostasis in appendectomy and hernia repair, Harmonic Scalpel with minimal thermal spread near bowel and major vessels, LigaSure for reliable sealing of larger vessels in splenectomy and nephrectomy, and Thunderbeat for combined ultrasonic and bipolar performance. Additional devices including PlasmaSect, Argon Beamer, and Laser are discussed along with Active Electrode Monitoring systems to enhance safety and reduce thermal injury risks across common urological and general surgical procedures.

Needle handling, suture selection, intracorporeal and extracorporeal knotting. Common challenges and clinical strategies for secure, reliable laparoscopic sutures.This session focuses on the principles of reusable laparoscopic dissecting and access instruments, including non-electrical tools like Harmonic probes, designed to optimize precision and safety in general and urological surgery. Participants will explore port closure instruments for secure fascial and peritoneal closure, ensuring minimal risk of herniation or infection. The lecture emphasizes instrument selection, ergonomic handling, and tissue-specific applications to enhance efficiency in procedures such as cholecystectomy, hernia repair, nephrectomy, and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

Observe and analyse complex surgical cases with expert faculty. Real-time decision-making, best practices and complication management. OT list shared the day prior.

Veress needle insertion, open (Hasson) technique, trocar placement and complication management. Live lab demonstration for hands-on confidence. This hands-on module provides intensive training in intracorporeal continuous suturing, featuring advanced techniques like the Dundee Jamming Knot and Aberdeen termination tailored for general surgery and urology. Participants will refine the precision required for laparoscopic bowel anastomosis, hiatal hernia repair, and mesenteric defect closure, alongside urological reconstructions such as pyeloplasty, bladder injury repair, and renorrhaphy during partial nephrectomy. Through case-based learning, the session emphasizes secure tissue approximation and ergonomic efficiency, equipping surgeons and urologists with the technical mastery needed for complex reconstructive procedures.

Comprehensive lecture guiding general surgeons and urologists through the safe establishment of pneumoperitoneum across three proven access techniques — Veress needle, open Hasson, and direct trocar insertion — with emphasis on technique selection based on patient profile and procedure type. The session covers CO₂ insufflation principles, optimal pressure settings of 8–12 mmHg, and appropriate flow rates to maintain a stable operative field during procedures such as cholecystectomy, colectomy, nephrectomy, radical prostatectomy, and retroperitoneal dissection. Participants will develop critical skills in early recognition of access complications including vascular injury, bowel perforation, subcutaneous emphysema, and pneumoperitoneum-related hemodynamic changes. Hands-on application of trocar placement, port positioning, and real-time troubleshooting is reinforced through real-world scenarios including obese patients, post-surgical abdominal adhesions, and emergency presentations. The lecture also addresses case selection strategies, equipping surgeons and urologists to systematically evaluate patient comorbidities, disease complexity, and anatomical considerations to ensure safe entry, procedural efficiency, and optimal patient outcomes across the full spectrum of laparoscopic general and urological surgery.

Observe, assist & participate in complex surgical cases. Gain firsthand experience in managing complications and real-time decision-making.

This high-impact session delivers real-time decision-making strategies for laparoscopic surgery, focusing on surgical ergonomics, precision, and complication prevention through live case demonstrations. Participants will learn to anticipate, identify, and manage critical intraoperative complications—such as bowel perforation, major vascular bleeding, ureteric injury, bladder laceration, and port-site herniation—before they escalate. Using real operating theater case studies, the lecture provides step-by-step protocols for damage control, ensuring surgeons and urologists can confidently navigate emergencies in cholecystectomy, colectomy, nephrectomy, and pelvic dissection with optimal patient outcomes.

This comprehensive module combines hands-on knot-tying training in the operating theater with mastery of laparoscopic equipment and imaging systems. Participants will master the Extracorporeal Square Knot and Intracorporeal Surgeon's Knot for critical reconstructive procedures including fundoplication, pyeloplasty, bowel anastomosis, hiatal hernia repair, bladder injury closure, and pediatric hernia repair. The session covers laparoscopic insufflation principles, including quadromanometric microprocessor-controlled digital insufflators for optimal pneumoperitoneum management, alongside hands-on demonstration of energy devices (Bipolar, Monopolar etc) and specialized instruments for cystoscopy, ureteroscopy, retroperitoneoscopy, and hysteroscopy. Participants will gain proficiency in endovision systems—understanding camera technology (single-chip vs. three-chip), SD and HD imaging, interlaced vs. progressive displays, and light sources (Xenon vs. LED)—while mastering operating theater ergonomics and equipment setup to ensure optimal visualization and surgical precision across general and urological procedures.

Observe complex surgical cases with expert faculty guidance.

Principles of intracorporeal and extracorporeal knot tying. Needle handling, ergonomics, and instrument coordination for precise suturing. Port positioning, suture materials, depth perception, and step-by-step closure techniques. Port placement, Calot's triangle dissection, critical view of safety and gallbladder removal. Key anatomical landmarks, complication prevention strategies.

This essential session equips general surgeons with practical, high-impact strategies to confidently manage difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy, emphasizing meticulous dissection, achievement of the critical view of safety, and timely decision-making for conversion when required. Surgeons will gain actionable insights into handling dense adhesions, aberrant anatomy, and intraoperative bleeding with precision, while learning to promptly recognize and manage key complications such as bile duct injury, hemorrhage, and bile leak. Through focused intraoperative tactics and postoperative protocols, this lesson delivers real-world tools that enhance patient safety, reduce morbidity, and optimize surgical outcomes in complex gallbladder cases.

Observe complex surgical cases. Real-time decision-making and complication management experience.

This intensive session provides hands-on training on tissue in a simulated O.T. environment, empowering general surgeons and urologists to master the Intracorporeal Tumble Square Knot and high-level suturing techniques. Participants will gain proficiency in the Dundee Jamming Knot and Aberdeen Termination, applying these to intracorporeal continuous suturing for critical procedures such as fundoplication, pyeloplasty, hiatal hernia repair, and duodenal perforation closure. The curriculum also focuses on the practical application of continuous suturing for urinary bladder repair, gastric plication, sleeve gastrectomy, and pediatric hernia repair, ensuring that every surgeon develops the ergonomic efficiency and knot security required for complex reconstructive minimal access surgery.

Port placement, anatomy, instrumentation, mesoappendix dissection, specimen retrieval and complication management. Live demonstration to improve hand-eye coordination and procedural confidence. This session offers a video-guided, technique-focused lecture on laparoscopic appendicectomy, providing general surgeons with a comprehensive overview of the various surgical approaches to optimize outcomes. Participants will explore the nuances of two-port appendicectomy, stapler appendicectomy, and the technical challenges of retrocecal appendicectomy, including strategies for mobilizing difficult anatomy. Through step-by-step video demonstrations, the lecture highlights tissue handling, safe mesentery division, and stump closure techniques, empowering surgeons to tailor their approach based on intraoperative findings and reduce the risk of complications.

Observe and analyse complex surgical cases with real-time guidance from expert surgeons.

This is the first wet lab session, conducted after completing the core FMAS training. OT gowning, safety briefing, animal handling protocol, pneumoperitoneum creation and port placement demonstration. Participants then perform foundational laparoscopic procedures under expert supervision:

Indications, patient selection, and techniques — Nissen (360°), Toupet (270°) and Dor (180°). Step-by-step procedural guidance, critical dissection points, post-operative care and long-term outcomes.