AD156 – Advance25 – Advanced Abdominal Surgery

Advance25™: Advanced Abdominal Surgery

Fast facts
25 hours CPD · Course start date Monday 11th May 2026 · 8 week course · For Advanced Practitioners and clinicians working at that level · 12 months access · Live forum.

Overview
This entirely online course is designed for experienced small animal vets working at Advanced Practitioner level, who want to deepen their knowledge of abdominal soft tissue surgery and feel more confident managing complex, higher-risk and non-routine cases.

How it works
This is a online course run over 8 weeks, with 6 weeks of recordings and 2 additional weeks on the tutor moderated forum. You will have access to all forum discussion with tutor moderation. You have 12 months’ access to all course materials and on completion receive your certificate for 25 hours CPD.

Syllabus at a glance
1. Introduction and Stomach
2. Intestines
3. Liver and Spleen
4. Biliary System
5. Urinary System
6. Pancreas, Adrenals and Lymph Nodes

Scroll down for more details on course content

Your tutor
Lee Meakin MA MRes PhD VetMB DipECVS FRCVS
RCVS Recognised and EBVS European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Soft Tissue)

Practicalities & pricing
• Price: £1,197 + VAT (UK).
• Overseas: No VAT for online courses.
• Payment options: Use the ‘Add to basket’ button and pay online. Request invoice using the ‘Request and invoice’ button at the bottom of this page · Call us to book 0151 328 0444.
• Webinar Club Members receive benefits/discounts where applicable.

More Details

Advance25^TM Courses help you develop your knowledge and clinical skills in a defined area of small animal practice. These flexible online courses feature pre-recorded tutor-led sessions and a moderated online discussion forum to support learning and interaction. Each course runs over a six-week structured programme, with two recorded sessions released each week. The online discussion forum is moderated for eight weeks, allowing time to engage, ask questions, and catch up. All course materials remain accessible for 12 months. On successful completion, you’ll receive a CPD Certificate for 25 hours of structured CPD. This six week course is fully flexible – all course materials are recorded and you get full access for 12 months from the course start date.

What you’ll learn:

Session 1: Introduction and Stomach

This opening session lays the foundations for advanced abdominal surgery by reviewing approaches to entry and closure of the abdomen, with practical tips on optimising surgical access and exploration. We will discuss which abdominal organs are tethered, which ligaments can be safely transected, and how strategic release can significantly improve exposure when operating in challenging cases.

The session then focuses on the stomach, covering relevant anatomy and physiology before exploring common and complex surgical conditions. Advanced surgical techniques are discussed in detail, including:

• Gastrectomy
• Management of hiatal hernia
• Surgical approaches to gastric outflow obstruction

Throughout the session, techniques are illustrated and contextualised using real clinical cases, highlighting decision-making, pitfalls, and practical strategies to improve outcomes.

Session 2: Intestines

This session explores advanced intestinal surgery, beginning with a focused review of intestinal anatomy and physiology relevant to surgical planning and complication avoidance. Common and complex surgical conditions of the small and large intestines are discussed, with emphasis on case selection and risk stratification.

You will examine advanced procedures including typhlectomy, ileocaecocolic junction resection and subtotal colectomy, considering indications, technical challenges and expected outcomes. Particular attention is given to anastomotic decision-making, management of compromised tissue, and strategies to minimise post-operative complications such as leakage, ileus and short bowel syndrome.

Through detailed case discussions, this session develops a structured approach to managing challenging intestinal disease and deciding when aggressive surgery is appropriate, when modification is required, and when referral may offer the best outcome.

Session 3: Liver and Spleen

Focusing on the liver and spleen, this session reviews relevant anatomy and surgical pathology before progressing to advanced operative techniques. You will explore decision-making around liver lobectomy and hepatectomy, including approaches to vascular control, haemorrhage management and post-operative liver function.

Splenic disease is discussed in depth, with particular focus on the assessment and management of splenic torsion, splenorrhaphy and other complex splenic conditions. The session emphasises realistic outcome prediction, perioperative risk management and strategies to reduce morbidity in patients with concurrent systemic disease.

Case-based discussions highlights how to plan and execute liver and splenic surgery safely, adapt techniques in the face of unexpected findings, and manage complications when they arise.

Session 4: Biliary System

This session addresses the biliary system, starting with a clear review of anatomy and common surgical conditions affecting the gallbladder and biliary tract. You will examine indications for surgery and the challenges inherent in managing biliary disease in unstable or high-risk patients.

Advanced procedures including cholecystectomy and cholecystenterostomy are discussed in detail, with emphasis on surgical planning, technical execution and post-operative management. The session explores decision-making when standard approaches are not feasible, including managing fragile tissues, inflammation and biliary leakage.

Real-world cases are used to illustrate complication management and help refine judgement around when surgery is appropriate and how to optimise outcomes in these demanding cases.

Session 5: Urinary System

This session covers advanced surgery of the urinary tract, beginning with a review of anatomy and common surgical conditions affecting the kidneys, ureters and lower urinary tract. Particular emphasis is placed on complex, non-routine cases where standard approaches may be insufficient.

You will explore advanced procedures including nephrectomy (including cases requiring cavotomy), neoureterocystostomy, and continence procedures such as colposuspension, urethropexy and urethral cuff placement. Decision-making around preservation versus removal of urinary structures, management of concurrent disease, and prevention of complications is discussed throughout.

Case examples highlight surgical planning, intra-operative problem solving and realistic client communication regarding risks, prognosis and long-term outcomes.

Session 6: Pancreas, Adrenals and Lymph Nodes

The final session focuses on endocrine organs and abdominal lymphatics, integrating anatomy, pathology and advanced surgical management. You will review surgical conditions affecting the pancreas and adrenal glands, with particular attention to risk assessment and perioperative management.

Advanced procedures including pancreatectomy and adrenalectomy are explored, alongside techniques for lymph node biopsy and extirpation. The session emphasises safe dissection, haemorrhage control and strategies to reduce perioperative morbidity in patients with hormonally active or systemically compromised disease.

Through complex case discussions, this session consolidates the course’s emphasis on critical thinking, adaptability and sound clinical judgement, helping you approach high-risk endocrine and lymphatic surgery with clarity and confidence.

Related learning
Advance25™: Orthopaedics for Advanced Practitioners