Ultrasound Guided Regional Anesthesia Workshop [Link to top]

This 2.5-day ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia workshop focuses on hands-on scanning and needling practice. To maximize the hands-on experience, registrants are required to study the online course materials before attending the workshop. There is a substantial amount of materials to cover and approximately 6-8 hours of study time prior to the workshop are recommended. At the end of this course, participants would have acquired a thorough knowledge of imaging and needling techniques for regional anesthesia.

This course has a number of distinguishing features:

Pre-course online material
Brief didactic introductions
Maximizes hands-on scanning practice
Low participant: instructor ratio (6:1)
Course taught by University of Toronto faculty and guest faculty from University of Ottawa

Day 1 (Saturday 7:30 to 16:30)

• More than 5 hours of supervised hands-on scanning on live models
• Opportunity to use a variety of ultrasound machines (BK Medical, GE, Philips, and SonoSite)
• A wide selection of topics to choose from
• Practical tips and tricks for ultrasound guided blocks
• Knowledge evaluation with immediate feedback

Day 2 (Sunday 7:30 am to 16:30 pm)

• Ask the expert scanning stations and further hands on scanning practice
• Opportunity to use a variety of ultrasound machines (BK Medical, GE, Philips, and SonoSite)
• Panel and open forum discussion with the experts
• Knowledge evaluation with immediate feedback

Day 3 (Optional) (Either 8:00 to 12:00 OR 13:00 to 17:00)

• Half-day anatomy lab
• Hands-on scanning and needling practice on cadaver models with instructor feedback
• A fully interactive program

Early registration is encouraged.

The Saturday-Sunday (2-day) workshop will accommodate up to 48 registrants. The Monday (1/2 day) anatomy lab will be limited to 18 registrants in the morning and 18 registrants in the afternoon.

Registration fee includes an "Ultrasound Imaging for Regional Anesthesia - A Practical Guide" booklet, refreshment on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday.
Lunch is NOT provided on Monday.

Available Dates [Link to top]

TBA

Program Guide [Link to top]

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the regional anesthesia workshop, the participant should be better able to:

• Describe the basic principles of ultrasound imaging for regional anesthesia
• Use proper equipment settings, transducers and ergonomics for specific blocks
• Correctly identify relevant sonoanatomy of the upper limb, lower limb, trunk and spine
• Describe different approaches to nerve blocks in the above mentioned regions
• Discuss nerve block indications and selection for specific surgical procedures
• Distinguish typical ultrasound findings of normal lung vs. pneumothorax and diaphragmatic paresis
• Acquire eye-hand coordination and needling skills (optional Monday program)
• Place peripheral nerve catheters under ultrasound guidance (optional Monday program)

Day 1 and Day 2 Workshop Topics (Select 8)

1. Brachial Plexus Block Above the Clavicle (Interscalene, Supraclavicular)
2. Brachial Plexus Block Below the Clavicle (Infraclavicular, Axillary)
3. Peripheral Nerve Blocks of the Upper Extremity (Median, Musculo-cutaneous, Radial, and Ulnar Nerves)
4. Femoral Nerve, Saphenous Nerve, Adductor Canal, Fascia Iliaca Blocks
5. Proximal Anterior and Posterior Sciatic Nerve Approaches (Gluteal, Subgluteal and Proximal Thigh)
6. Popliteal Sciatic Nerve and Ankle Blocks
7. Thoracic Paravertebral, PEC and Serratus Plane Blocks, Intercostal blocks
8. Truncal Abdominal Blocks (Transmuscular Quadratus Lumborum, Transversalis Fascial Plane, Transversus Abdominis Plane, Ilio-inguinal and Ilio-hypogastric Nerve Blocks)
9. Spine Ultrasound
10. Ultrasound Diagnosis of Pneumothorax and Diaphragmatic Paresis

Monday Day 3, (Optional Half-day Anatomy Lab)

Faculty [Link to top]

CME Credits [Link to top]

This education event has been approved as an Accredited Group Learning Activity under Section 1 of the Framework of CPD options for the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada for Section 1 credits (credit number TBA) and the Physician's Recognition Award of the American Medical Association - Category 1 credits (credit number TBA).

Accommodation [Link to top]

The Eaton Chelsea Hotel - 33 Gerrard St W, Toronto.
The Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel - 525 Bay St, Toronto.
The Park Hyatt Toronto - 4 Avenue Rd Toronto.
The Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre - 30 Carlton Street, Toronto.
The Toronto Marriott Bloor Yorkville - 90 Bloor St E, Toronto.
The InterContinental Toronto Yorkville - 220 Bloor St W, Toronto.

Toronto Hotels
Things to do in Toronto

Registration [Link to top]

The registration fee will include complimentary meals (breakfast x 2 day, lunch x 2 day, breaks x 3 days), an ultrasound booklet, didactic lectures, hands on practical sessions and examination.

Saturday and Sunday Workshop
Fee: $900 (Canadian) + Tax
Where: Toronto General Hospital

Monday Needling Workshop (Optional, Half Day)
Fee: $350 (Canadian) + Tax
Where: Toronto General Hospital

Registration Process:
Register early for guaranteed attendance!
Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration forms are accepted by Mail or Fax.

Fees must be paid in full at the time of registration.

Cancellation/Refund Policy:
The full registration fee less $100 administration fee will be refunded, if written notice of cancellation (e-mail or fax) is received no later than 21 days prior to the workshop date. No refund for cancellation less than 21 days. Registration may be transferred among colleagues or be applied to a future course within one year. In the unlikely event that a course is rescheduled or cancelled, pre-paid registrants will be given the opportunity to transfer to a future course or may receive a full refund. The course organizer will not be responsible for any travel and/or lodging reimbursements.

Directions to Workshop [Link to top]

200 Elizabeth St, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4

Nearest Major Intersection
College Street and University Avenue (south of Queen's Park). TGH is located along the east side of University Avenue, just south of College Street. Public Transportation

Subway
Queen's Park subway station, on the University branch of the Yonge-University-Spadina line (Line 1)

Streetcar
506 Carlton - University stop, and walk south; or ??Elizabeth Street stop and walk south along Elizabeth
505 Dundas - University stop, and walk north up University Avenue