Fundamentals in Thoracic Surgery

The Fundamentals in Thoracic Surgery will run from 24 – 27 June 2025 in Windsor. This Course will be available online and in-person, all times shown below are local UK times. We are excited to announce the EACTS Thoracic Surgery Fundamentals Course, designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience for trainees. This course covers essential topics such as lung cancer, diaphragm and chest wall surgery, emergency procedures, pneumothorax management, emphysema treatment, and pleural disease. It emphasises both theoretical knowledge and hands-on training, featuring practical modules on rib fracture fixation, bronchoscopy, and VATS diaphragmatic surgery. Designed to enhance surgical skills and promote multidisciplinary collaboration, the program prepares participants for real-world thoracic surgical challenges and the European Board Exam.

24 – 27 Jun 2025
Windsor, UK
Hybrid

Event Information

DATE/DURATION

24-27 June 2025 (4 day course)
LOCATION

Windsor, UK
COURSE DIRECTORS

D Waller, Leicester
F DI Chiara, Oxford
COURSE FORMAT

Mix of online and in-person interactive lectures
Surgical case videos
Hands-on simulation sessions
COURSE FEE

This course is available online and in-person.

In-person registration fees include all sessions, breaks, lunch and dinner on Tuesday 24th June.

In-person fees (Windsor, UK):
Members: €450 inclusive of VAT
Non-Members: €550 inclusive of VAT

Online registration fees include all sessions, except for 3, 6 and 9 Hands on sessions. Kindly note there is no interactive function, and you will not be able to interact with Faculty and other attendees.

Hybrid fees (online only):
Members: €150.00 inclusive of VAT
Non-Members: €200.00 inclusive of VAT
TARGET AUDIENCE

Residents in training with the course content closely allied to the EBCTS syllabus.

EACTS Academy terms and conditions.

course registration

Programme and faculty subject to change.

09:50	Welcome and case discussion F Di Chiara, Oxford
	Thoracic Benign Disease
	Session 1: Pneumothorax
10:00	Spontaneous: Primary vs Secondary – Indications/operative techniques
	Acquired: Persistent air leak/chest drain management
	Catamenial pneumothorax/Endometriosis
11:00	BREAK
	Session 2: Emphysema
11:30	Principles –
	LVR – patient selection
	LVR – techniques
	2.1 Debate – Audience participation – two teams A and B (delegates will be assigned to each team in advance to prepare their case) In patients suitable for both
	Pro lung volume reduction surgery
	vs
	Pro Endobronchial valves
	Conclusion
	2.2 LVR MDT
13:00	LUNCH
	Session 3: Hands-On Sessions 2 workshops running parallel in rotation
14:00	3.1 Case studies – applied physiology/anatomy 3.2 Bronchoscopy simulator – rigid/flexible – endobronchial valve insertion
17:00	CLOSE

	The Pleural Space
	Session 4
09:00	Oesophageal Cancer
09:30	Pleural Infection
	Pleural Empyema – assessment Pleural Empyema – stage-specific management Surgery for pleural empyema Pleural Effusion Diagnostic criteria/methods – fluid analysis/imaging/ medical thoracoscopy
10:30	BREAK
11:00	Malignant Pleural Effusion
	Malignant effusion – management
	Mesothelioma – staging/management
12:00	Debate – Audience participation – two teams A and B (delegates will be assigned to each team in advance to prepare their case) In Mesothelioma There is no longer a role for the surgeon vs There is still a role for the surgeon
13:00	LUNCH
	Session 6: Hands-On Sessions 2 workshops running parallel in rotation
14:00	VATS simulator
	Open simulator
17:00	CLOSE

	Chest Wall/Trauma
	Session 7
09:00	Diaphragm
	The raised hemidiaphragm – different diagnosis – anatomy of herniae
	Physiology of plication/surgical methods
	Diaphragmatic rupture
09:30	Chest Wall
	Pectus deformities
	Chest wall tumours
	Emergency Surgery
	Airway injury/principles of airway surgery
	Perforated oesophagus
10:00	Mediastinitis
10:30	BREAK
	Session 8
11:00	Chest wall trauma
	Initial management of haemothorax – Rib fracture management
12:00	Debate – Audience participation – two teams A and B (delegates will be assigned to each team in advance to prepare their case)
	Rib fixation is overused
	vs
	Rib fixation should be more widely used
	Conclusions
13:00	LUNCH
	Session 9: Hands-On Sessions 2 workshops running parallel in rotation
14:00	Diaphragm plication/diaphragm suturing
	Rib fixation – wet lab
17:00	CLOSE

	Thoracic Malignant Disease
	Session 10
09:00	Thymic Epithelial Tumours
09:30	Lung Cancer Surgery –
	Management of common complications/how to avoid them (ERAS)
	Resectability – Nodule risk management/TNM staging
	Operability – assessing fitness for operation
10:30	BREAK
	Session 11 – Audience participation – two teams A and B (delegates will be assigned to each team in advance to prepare their case)
11:00	1. In stage 1A: Sublobar Vs Lobar resection
11:30	2. In stage T1/2 N1: Neoadjuvant Vs Adjuvant therapy
12:00	Lung MDT -stage IIIA disease cases (N2a, N2b, N3)
12:30	Course debriefing
13:00	CLOSE

Fundamentals in Thoracic Surgery

Level 1

Event Information

Course Programme

Tuesday 24 June

Wednesday 25 June

Thursday 26 June

Friday 27 June

Faculty

David Waller

Francesco Di Chiara