SCAM21008U Companion Animal Surgery – Neurosurgery and TPLO

Volume 2023/2024
Education

This course is a compulsory course at the Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science. The Master is a postgraduate education targeting small animal veterinarians seeking Continual Professional Development (CPD).

Content

The purpose of this course is to extend the student’s knowledge, skills, and competences in the approach to, assessment, diagnosis, and management of the sick companion animal patient in need of advanced neuro-or orthopedic surgery. The course will extend the students assessment and management of the companion animal patient in need of need of advanced neuro-or orthopedic surgery and plan the perioperative management of the patient, including specific anaesthesia and analgesia requirements as well as postoperative management, follow up and rehabilitation.

Learning Outcome

Having completed the course, the student must be able to:

Intended Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

  • Understand the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic work up, and clinical appearance of intervertebral disc disease.
  • Understand the indications for surgery and on the selection of anaesthesia and anagelsia protocols in patients with intervertebral disc disease.
  • Understand the use and typical surgical techniques in intervertebral disc disease of the cervical and thoraco-lumbar spine as well as lumbar-sacral disease.
  • Understand the TPLO surgical techniques, when it is indicated, and the needed follow up.
  • Explain, reflect about, and discuss a problem oriented and evidence-based work-up and treatment plan for patients undergoing intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Define and identify relevant anatomical structures.

 

Skills

  • Perform neurological examination, advanced imaging interpretation and lesion localisation.
  • Perform advanced atraumatic surgical techniques in intervertebral disc surgery.
  • Plan the rehabilitation of the patient with intervertebral disc disease or TPLO postsurgery.
  • Manage common complications secondary to intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Risk assessment after surgery with focus on treatment effect, complications, ethical and welfare challenges and estimation of prognosis.
     

Competences

  • Evaluate, plan and manage a diagnostic work-up for a patient with a complex history in which intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery is indicated.
  • Plan advanced therapy/procedures for companion animal patients in need of intervertebral or TPLO surgery.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge within companion animal patients in need of intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and laypersons involved in companion animal patients in need of intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.

Updated literature lists will be posted 1 month prior to course start. The participant should have theoretical knowledge updated prior to participation.

Inclusion criteria for Master's Programme in Companion Animal Clinical Science: Degree in veterinary medicine and at least two years of relevant work experience.

Progression requirements:
SCAM13001U Veterinary Methodology and Paraclinical Skills
SCAM21001U Companion Animal Surgery - Good Surgical Practice (GSP)
SCAM21002U Companion Animal Surgery – Soft Tissue Surgery I
SCAM21003U Companion Animal Surgery – Orthopaedics I - Basic Orthopaedic Principles
SCAM21004U Companion Animal Surgery – Orthopaedics II - Large Joint Surgery
SCAM21005U Companion Animal Surgery – Soft Tissue Surgery II. Advanced Soft Tissue Surgery-Cancer Surgery
SCAM21006U Companion Animal Surgery – Orthopaedics III-Advanced Fracture and Joint Management
SCAM21007U Companion Animal Surgery – Endoscopic surgery - Arthroscopy, Laparoscopy, Thoracoscopy
A mixture of case-based and problem oriented lectures, e-learning, theoretical and practical exercises. Case-study work. Scientific literature.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 20
  • Preparation
  • 96
  • Practical exercises
  • 15
  • Exam
  • 50
  • Total
  • 181
Oral
Individual
Collective
Credit
4 ECTS
Type of assessment
Portfolio
Type of assessment details
The portfolio exam consists of two parts.

1) The course certificate, which supports, underpins, and focuses on the learning process (learning portfolio). All required components of the course certificate must be approved and include a) a minimum of 80% active participation, b) preparation and oral presentation of a problem oriented clinical case and c) a written assignment, such as an evidence-based procedure or clinical protocol.

2) A graded evaluation, which focuses on the intended learning outcomes (evaluation portfolio). The graded evaluation includes an exam with multiple-choice, short answer, and/or essay questions.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner
Exam period

Exam dates will be published on the programme  homepage.

Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the students must be able to:

Knowledge

  • Understand the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic work up, and clinical appearance of intervertebral disc disease.
  • Understand the indications for surgery and on the selection of anaesthesia and anagelsia protocols in patients with intervertebral disc disease.
  • Understand the use and typical surgical techniques in intervertebral disc disease of the cervical and thoraco-lumbar spine as well as lumbar-sacral disease.
  • Understand the TPLO surgical techniques, when it is indicated, and the needed follow up.
  • Explain, reflect about, and discuss a problem oriented and evidence-based work-up and treatment plan for patients undergoing intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Define and identify relevant anatomical structures.

 

Skills

  • Perform neurological examination, advanced imaging interpretation and lesion localisation.
  • Perform advanced atraumatic surgical techniques in intervertebral disc surgery.
  • Plan the rehabilitation of the patient with intervertebral disc disease or TPLO postsurgery.
  • Manage common complications secondary to intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Risk assessment after surgery with focus on treatment effect, complications, ethical and welfare challenges and estimation of prognosis.
     

Competences

  • Evaluate, plan and manage a diagnostic work-up for a patient with a complex history in which intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery is indicated.
  • Plan advanced therapy/procedures for companion animal patients in need of intervertebral or TPLO surgery.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge within companion animal patients in need of intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and laypersons involved in companion animal patients in need of intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.