SCAM25013U Companion Animal Surgery – Endoscopic surgery - Arthroscopy, Laparoscopy, Thoracoscopy

Volume 2026/2027
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).

 

This course is only available to enrolled students pursuing the full programme and is not open to single course students

 

Read more about the  Master of Companion Animal Science.

Content

The purpose of this course is to extend the student’s knowledge, skills, and competencies in the approach to, assessment, diagnosis, and management of the sick companion animal patient in need of endoscopic surgery. The course will extend the students' assessment and management of the companion animal patient in need of endoscopic surgery incl. arthroscopy, laparoscopy, and thoracoscopy, and plan the perioperative management of the patient, including specific anesthesia and analgesia requirements.

 

Learning Outcome

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

Knowledge

  • Understand the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical appearance, and indications for arthroscopy in large joint disorders.
  • Understand the indications for laparoscopic surgery and the selection of anesthesia and analgesia protocols.
  • Understand the indications for thoracoscopic surgery and the selection of anesthesia and analgesia protocols.
  • Understand the use and typical techniques in endoscopic surgery.
  • Explain, reflect about, and discuss a problem-oriented and evidence-based work-up and treatment plan for patients undergoing endoscopic surgery.
  • Define and identify relevant anatomical structures.

 

Skills

  • Perform advanced atraumatic surgical techniques in endoscopic surgery including:
    • arthroscopy of the shoulder, elbow, and stifle,
    • laparoscopic surgery incl. diagnostic biopsy procedures and surgeries (ovariohysterectomy/​ovarioectomy, cystotomy, gastropexy),
    • thoracoscopic surgery including incl. diagnostic biopsy procedures and surgeries (lung lobe extirpation, pericardectomy),
    • complications.
  • Risk assessment after surgery with a focus on treatment effect, complications, and estimation of prognosis.

 

Competencies

  • Evaluate, plan, and manage a diagnostic work-up for a patient with a complex history in which endoscopic surgery is indicated.
  • Plan advanced therapy/procedures for companion animal patients in need of endoscopic surgery.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate, and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge within companion animal patients in need of endoscopic surgery.
  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and laypersons involved in companion animal patients in need of endoscopic 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.
A mixture of case-based and problem-oriented lectures, e-learning, theoretical, and practical exercises. Case-study work. Scientific literature searching.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 16
  • Preparation
  • 41
  • Practical exercises
  • 12
  • Exam
  • 43
  • Total
  • 112
Written
Oral
Credit
2 ECTS
Type of assessment
Other
Type of assessment details
The Ongoing Test consist of two parts:
a) a minimum of 80% active participation,
b) a written assignment

To pass the course, students must have passed both Exam 1 and Exam 2. However, students may attend Exam 2 without having passed Exam 1.
Aid
All aids allowed except Generative AI

The use of AI or AI-assisted tools is prohibited for this exam.

Read more about the GAI-rules: Generative AI and good academic practice in UCPH's education programmes – University of Copenhagen 

Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner.
Exam period

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve a pass, the student must be able to perform at a sufficient level to:

Knowledge

  • Understand the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical appearance, and indications for arthroscopy in large joint disorders.
  • Understand the indications for laparoscopic surgery and the selection of anesthesia and analgesia protocols.
  • Understand the indications for thoracoscopic surgery and the selection of anesthesia and analgesia protocols.
  • Understand the use and typical techniques in endoscopic surgery.
  • Explain, reflect on, and discuss a problem-oriented and evidence-based work-up and treatment plan for patients undergoing endoscopic surgery.
  • Define and identify relevant anatomical structures.

 

Skills

  • Perform advanced atraumatic surgical techniques in endoscopic surgery including:
    • arthroscopy of the shoulder, elbow, and stifle
    • laparoscopic surgery incl. diagnostic biopsy procedures and surgeries (ovariohysterectomy/​ovarioectomy, cystotomy, gastropexy),
    • thoracoscopic surgery including incl. diagnostic biopsy procedures and surgeries (lung lobe extirpation, pericardectomy),
    • complications.
  • Risk assessment after surgery with a focus on treatment effect, complications, and estimation of prognosis.

 

Competencies

  • Evaluate, plan, and manage a diagnostic work-up for a patient with a complex history in which endoscopic surgery is indicated.
  • Plan advanced therapy/procedures for companion animal patients in need of endoscopic surgery.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate, and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge within companion animal patients in need of endoscopic surgery.
  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and laypersons involved in companion animal patients in need of endoscopic surgery.
Credit
2 ECTS
Type of assessment
Home assignment
Type of assessment details
The written assignment includes an exam with multiple-choice, short answer, and/or essay questions.

To pass the course, students must have passed both Exam 1 and Exam 2. However, students may attend Exam 2 without having passed Exam 1.
Aid
All aids allowed except Generative AI

The use of AI or AI-assisted tools is prohibited for this exam.

Read more about the GAI-rules: Generative AI and good academic practice in UCPH's education programmes – University of Copenhagen 

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner.
Exam period

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve a grade of 12, the student must be able to:

Knowledge

  • Understand the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical appearance, and indications for arthroscopy in large joint disorders.
  • Understand the indications for laparoscopic surgery and the selection of anesthesia and analgesia protocols.
  • Understand the indications for thoracoscopic surgery and the selection of anesthesia and analgesia protocols.
  • Understand the use and typical techniques in endoscopic surgery.
  • Explain, reflect on, and discuss a problem-oriented and evidence-based work-up and treatment plan for patients undergoing endoscopic surgery.
  • Define and identify relevant anatomical structures.

 

Skills

  • Perform advanced atraumatic surgical techniques in endoscopic surgery including:
    • arthroscopy of the shoulder, elbow, and stifle
    • laparoscopic surgery incl. diagnostic biopsy procedures and surgeries (ovariohysterectomy/​ovarioectomy, cystotomy, gastropexy),
    • thoracoscopic surgery including incl. diagnostic biopsy procedures and surgeries (lung lobe extirpation, pericardectomy),
    • complications.
  • Risk assessment after surgery with a focus on treatment effect, complications, and estimation of prognosis.

 

Competencies

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