Post-Grad Courses | Canadian Surgery Forum

Post-Graduate Courses

Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS) Post-Graduate Course:
General Surgery Essentials (PDF)

Chair: Dr. Caitlin Champion, Chair, CAGS Education Committee

Chair: Dr. Jill Vallis, CAGS Education Committee

Each year during the Canadian Surgery Forum (CSF), a one-day review takes place to update practicing general surgeons in the current management of frequent problems seen in daily practice. The format for the interactive course will include presentations from expert faculty with case-based scenarios and open discussion. Participants are encouraged to bring cases to be discussed. Please come join us for a day of case based learning and an update in general surgery. No better way to learn what's new in surgery than to go over some cases and discuss with colleagues.

Learning Objectives:

Describe clinical evaluation and management approaches to common general surgery cases
Discuss complex decision making in common general surgery cases
Identify and navigate challenging problems in common general surgery cases

Target Audience: Practicing surgeons looking for a broad-based up to date CME experience.

Update speakers and expert panelists along with resident case presenters come together from across the country to deliver an engaging practical update on common presentations and challenging cases in General Surgery.

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Location: 1650 Argyle St, Halifax, NS B3J 0E6

Time: 08:00-16:00

AGENDA

8:00-8:30am – Welcoming Remarks – Dr. Cait Champion (Parry Sound, ON)

8:30-9:30 – De-escalation of breast surgery in post-menopausal women

Chair: Dr. Joanna Ryan (Toronto, ON)

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session the learner will be able to:

Discuss an approach to the management of early-stage breast cancer in post-menopausal women
Apply emerging evidence for de-escalation of axillary surgery in post-menopausal women with early-stage breast cancer
Identify candidates for de-escalation of adjuvant therapy in post-menopausal women with early-stage breast cancer

8:30-8:50 – Case presentation and panel discussion

Resident case presenter: Dr. Sarah Klapman, Queen’s University

Panelists: Dr. Lucy Helyer (Halifax, NS), Dr. Marianna Kapala (Toronto, ON), Dr. Alison Laws (Calgary, AB)

8:50-9:20 – Update speaker: Dr. Alison Laws

9:20-9:30 – Audience panel Q&A

9:30-10:30 – Barrett’s esophagus

Chair: Dr. Boris Zevin (Kingston, ON)

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session the learner will be able to:

Identify patients who warrant evaluation for Barrett’s esophagus (BE) or dysplasia and apply a risk-based approach to referral and follow-up.
Describe the key elements of high-quality BE surveillance endoscopy and recognize common pitfalls that lead to missed dysplasia.
Differentiate evidence-based management for nondysplastic BE vs. low-grade dysplasia vs. high-grade dysplasia/early cancer, including when to confirm pathology, when to refer for endoscopic eradication therapy, and how to counsel patients on acid suppression and the role/limits of anti-reflux surgery.

9:30-9:50 – Case presentation and panel discussion

Resident case presenter: Dr. Rachel Peet, University of Western Ontario

Panelists: Dr. Andras Fecso (Toronto, ON), Dr. Boris Zevin (Kingston, ON), TBD

9:50-10:20 – Update speaker: Dr. Andras Fecso

10:20-10:30 – Audience panel Q&A

10:30-10:50 – BREAK

10:50-11:50 – Modern Management of Inguinal Hernias: from watchful waiting to complex repair

Chair: Dr. Jonah Shiroky (Winnipeg, MB)

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session the learner will be able to:

Describe appropriate pre-operative evaluation, including indications for watchful waiting vs. elective repair and optimal selection of surgical approach.
Discuss current controversies in mesh selection and fixation.
Apply current guideline recommendations and evidence to special situations, such as recurrence, incarcerated/strangulated hernias and high-risk patients.

10:50-11:10 – Case presentation and panel discussion

Resident case presenter: Dr. Brianne Cruickshank, Dalhousie University

Panelists: Dr. Daphne Lu (Hershey, PA), Dr. Sam Minor (Halifax, NS), Dr. Jonah Shiroky (Winnipeg, MB)

11:10-11:40 – Update speaker: Dr. Jonah Shiroky

11:40-11:50 – Audience panel Q&A

11:50-12:30 - LUNCH

12:30-13:30 – What’s New in Pancreatic Cancer: The Good, The Bad, and The Unresectable

Chair: Dr. Jillian Vallis (St John’s, NL)

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session the learner will be able to:

Recognize contemporary advances in pancreatic cancer treatment, including evolving systemic therapies and multidisciplinary treatment strategies, particularly the impact on surgical decision making and patient outcomes.
Differentiate between resectable, borderline resectable, and locally advanced pancreatic cancer using anatomic, biochemical, and patient-related factors to guide appropriate referral and treatment in the community setting.
Identify patients who may benefit from neoadjuvant treatment, including those with borderline resectable disease or high-risk features, and incorporate evidence-based referral pathways to optimize patient outcomes.

12:30-12:50 – Case presentation and panel discussion

Resident case presenter: Dr. Amy Dawson, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Panelists: Dr. Boris Gala-Lopez (Halifax, NS), Dr. Michael Moser (Saskatoon, SK), TBD

12:50-13:20 – Update speaker: Dr. Michael Moser

13:20-13:30 – Audience panel Q&A

13:30-14:30 – Pilonidal disease

Chair: Dr. Aman Pooni (Toronto, ON)

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session the learner will be able to:

Identify current concepts in the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of pilonidal disease relevant to general surgical practice.
Compare operative and minimally invasive management options for pilonidal disease, including indications, technical considerations, outcomes, and recurrence rates.
Implement evidence-based perioperative and postoperative strategies to optimize wound healing and reduce recurrence in patients undergoing treatment for pilonidal disease.

13:30-13:50 – Case presentation and panel discussion

Resident case presenter: Dr. Muhannad Alsenari, University of Manitoba

Panelists: Dr. Lyndsay Glass (Parry Sound, ON), TBD

13:50-14:20 – Update speaker: Dr. Aman Pooni (Toronto, ON)

13:20-14:30 – Audience panel Q&A

14:30-14:50 – BREAK

14:50-15:50 – Managing traumatic chest injuries and chest tubes

Chair: Dr. Jillian Vallis (St John’s, NL)

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session the learner will be able to:

Describe an approach to evaluation and management of traumatic chest injuries including hemothorax, pneumothorax and flail chest in the setting of blunt trauma
Describe an approach to evaluation and management of traumatic chest injuries in the setting of penetrating trauma
Discuss indications for insertion, tube selection and management of chest tubes in the trauma setting

14:50-15:10– Case presentation and panel discussion

Resident case presenter: Dr. Steven Craigs, University of Manitoba

Panelists: Dr. Patrick McCrea (Charlottetown, PEI), Dr. Andrea Faryniuk (Amherst, NS),
Dr. Nada Gawad (Ottawa, ON)

15:10-15:40 – Update speaker: Dr. Nada Gawad

15:40-15:50 – Audience panel Q&A

15:50-16:00pm – Closing Remarks – Dr. Jillian Vallis

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Location: Halifax Convention Centre, 1650 Argyle St, Halifax, NS B3J 0E6

Time: 08:00 -16:00

Canadian Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (CSCRS) /
CASCADES Post-Graduate Course:
Fundamentals of Sustainable Operating Rooms (PDF)

Co-Chairs: Dr. Husein Moloo and Dr. Nicole Simms

As the effects of climate change continue to intensify, all sectors are charged with reducing carbon; the healthcare sector, which accounts for an estimated 4.6% of national greenhouse gas emissions, is no exception. Perioperative care in particular has an outsized environmental impact via its substantial waste production, generation of direct emissions, and energy use. It is therefore recognized as a significant area of opportunity for reducing healthcare’s environmental footprint.

The Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS), in partnership with CASCADES*, a multi-year capacity-building initiative to address healthcare’s contribution to the climate crisis, offers “Fundamentals of Sustainable Perioperative Care.” In this half-day workshop, participants will gain knowledge, develop skills, and forge collaborations that will help them advocate for and participate in a bottom-up and top-down shift toward more environmentally sustainable perioperative care. Participants will hear from perioperative care providers on the front lines of sustainability efforts, and begin a project charter for a sustainable quality improvement project they can initiate in their own settings.

In an effort to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration on sustainability efforts, subsidized registration is available to non-member non-physicians; click here to apply.

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Location: 1650 Argyle St, Halifax, NS B3J 0E6

Time: 13:00-17:00

Agenda:

1:00 – 1:10 pm: Welcome and Introductions
1:10 – 3:00 pm: Making the Case: Overview of Sustainable Health Systems

•Sustainable Health Systems in a Climate Crisis
•Principles of Sustainable Health Care
•QI as a Framework for Sustainable Change
•Strategic Sustainability Messaging

3:00 – 3:10: BREAK
3:10 – 4:10: Making the Change: Sustainable Perioperative Care

•Opportunities, Priority Setting, and Benchmarking
•Sustainable Change in Action: Examples from the Field

4:10 – 4:50: Making the Plan: Sustainability Project Development

•Introduction to the CASCADES project charter
•Sustainability Project Brainstorming

4:50 – 5:00pm: Closing

Canadian Hernia Society (CHS) Post-Graduate Course:
From Basics to Advanced Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (PDF)

Instructors: Dr. Fady Saleh, Dr. Megan Melland-Smith, Dr. Rachel Liu Hennessey, Dr. Robert Hall, Dr. Oscar Henao, Dr. Jack Chiu, Dr. Ben Fung

Target Audience: This half day course is designed for residents and practicing surgeons who wish to master complex hernia management and new releases of the abdomen wall.

Learning Objectives:

➢ Demonstrate the transverse abdominis release technique;

➢ Interpret E-TEP access retrorectus (Rives Stoppa) repair;

➢ Review groin anatomy to perform open tissue repair (Shouldice) of inguinal/femoral hernias;

➢ Associate Laparoscopic Inguinal TAPP Hernia Repair with Focus on the Critical View of myopectineal orifice;

➢ Understand laparoscopic hybrid ventral hernia repair techniques;

Each station will have expert demonstrations to guide council attendees through the following procedures:

➢ Laparoscopic E-TEP (Rives Stoppa) with crossover;

➢ Laparoscopic TAPP inguinal hernia covering the critical view of myopectineal orifice and steps

➢ Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair - IPOM

➢ Open Rives Stoppa followed by transversus abdominis release (TAR);

➢ Open inguinal hernia anatomy - Shouldice repair;

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Location: Surgical Skills Centre – QEII Simulation Program, Rm B04, Basement Bethune Building, VG Site 1276 South Park Street Halifax, NS

Time: 8:00-12:00

AGENDAS: Time:

Time: 7:00am-12:00pm (TBC)

Breakfast 7AM
1.Welcome – 8:00 AM (15 min)
a. Welcome
b. Introductions of educators, attendees, Sim Center staff, supporters, and sponsors
c. Overview of afternoon’s activities

2.Cadaver Simulation station rotations –3hs – Groups will remain at the same cadaver:
a. Station 1/2 – ETEP with crossover; open TAR bilateral; Shouldice
b. Station 3 – Shouldice; TAPP side A; Open TAR bilateral
b. Station 4/5 - Lap ventral; Shouldice; Open TAR bilateral

3. Question Period/Evaluation -45 min

Learning Objectives:

Demonstrate the transverse abdominis release technique;
Interpret E-TEP access retrorectus (Rives Stoppa) repair;
Review groin anatomy to perform open tissue repair (Shouldice) of inguinal/femoral hernias;
Associate Laparoscopic Inguinal TAPP Hernia Repair with Focus on the Critical View of myopectineal orifice;
Understand laparoscopic hybrid ventral hernia repair techniques;

Each station will have expert demonstrations to guide council attendees through the following procedures:

Laparoscopic E-TEP (Rives Stoppa) with crossover;
Laparoscopic TAPP inguinal hernia covering the critical view of myopectineal orifice and steps
Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair - IPOM
Open Rives Stoppa followed by transversus abdominis release (TAR);
Open inguinal hernia anatomy - Shouldice repair;

Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgery Post Graduate Course:
Masterclass in Chest Wall Diseases (PDF)

Chair: Dr. Daniel French, MD, FRCSC, Dalhousie University

Course Description: This course will be a Master Class for Thoracic Surgeons interested in developing their expertise and technical skills for management of diseases of the chest wall. Approaches to treat pectus excavatum, thoracic outlet syndrome and superior sulcus tumors will be reviewed. The use of cryotherapy to ablate intercostal nerves will also be included.

This event is an Accredited Simulation Activity (Section 3) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and approved by the Canadian Association of General Surgeons. You may claim a maximum of 4 hours.

Target Audience: Thoracic Surgeons and learners.

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Location: Surgical Skills Centre – QEII Simulation Program Rm B04, Basement Bethune Building, VG Site

1276 South Park Street, Halifax, NS

Time: 13:00 -17:00

Time Activity Faculty

1200-1215 Welcome and introduction Daniel French

1215-1245 Lunch Daniel French

1245-1300 TOS principles and fundamentals Daniel French

1300-1315 Pectus excavatum principles and fundamentals Peds surgeon

1315-1545 Cadaver model All faculty
1. Nuss procedure
2.Ravitch procedure
3.Approaches first rib for TOS
4.Cryotherapy nerve ablation

1515-1530 Wrap up and evaluation Daniel French

Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS):
OB Simulation Post Graduate Course (PDF)

Chair: Dr. Lyndsay Glass and Dr. Stephen Hiscock

Course Description: The course consists of a half day simulation session of practical surgical skills required in the assessment and management of challenging cases and complications in operative delivery for the General Surgeon. CAGS is offering this course as part of a Certificate of Recognition in Operative Delivery and Maternal Care for General Surgeons. For more information, please visit https://cags-accg.ca/operative-delivery-and-maternal-care-for-general-surgeons-postgraduate-course/.

Course goals: The goal of this certificate program is to provide General Surgeons with a competency-based training opportunity to gain the skills and expertise to support safe operative delivery and maternal care programs in rural and remote communities and global surgery programs.

Target Audience: This simulation program is designed for practicing surgeons and residents both actively involved and interested in providing operative delivery and maternal care support in rural and remote communities and global surgery programs.

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Location: Halifax Convention Center, 1650 Argyle St, Halifax, NS B3J 0E6

Time: 08:00 -12:00

Agenda:

7:30 – 08:15 - Breakfast
08:15-08:30 – Introduction

08:35-10:05 – Surgical skills in managing postpartum hemorrhage
•Examination of the vaginal vault and cervix in postpartum hemorrhage
•Insertion and management of a Bakri balloon
•Uterine compression sutures
•Subtotal hysterectomy

Station 1: Bakri Balloon
Station 2: Compression sutures
Station 3: Subtotal hysterectomy and vaginal/cervical tear

10:05-10:20 – Break
10:20-11:50 – Skills in managing complex extractions & situations
•Breech extraction
•Malpresentation extraction
•Impacted head extraction
•Symphysiotomy
•Repair of complex perineal tears

Station 1: Extraction at c/s (breech, impacted head, transverse)
Station 2: Shoulder dystocia
Station 3: fourth-degree tears

11:50-12:00 – Course Wrap-Up

Learning Objectives:

Describe and demonstrate an approach to examination of the vaginal vault and cervix in a bleeding postpartum patient
Describe and demonstrate an approach to safe insertion and management of a Bakri balloon
Describe and demonstrate an approach to uterine compression sutures
Describe and demonstrate an approach to subtotal hysterectomy
Describe and demonstrate an approach to repair of postpartum complex perineal tears
Describe and demonstrate an approach to breech extraction in cesarean section
Describe and demonstrate an approach to fetal extraction in malpresentation and impacted head in the setting of cesarean section
Describe and demonstrate an approach to symphysiotomy

Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS) / Canadian Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (CSCRS) Post-Graduate Course: Advanced Endoscopy Course(PDF)

Co-Chairs: Dr. James Ellsmere, Dr. Jeff Hawel and Dr. Sepher Khorasani

This one-day course is interactive and intended for practicing surgeons, residents, and healthcare professionals who want to expand their knowledge of endoscopy. The morning session will last four hours and consist of lectures on various basic and advanced endoscopic techniques, such as indications, contraindications, complications, and practical methods for these procedures. The afternoon session will last four hours and provide a hands-on skills lab for participants to practice basic and advanced endoscopic techniques. Breakfast, lunch, and refreshment breaks are included.

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Location: 1650 Argyle St, Halifax, NS B3J 0E6

Time: 07:30 -17:30 (Lecture only 07:30-12:00)

Agenda:

7:30 –8:00 - Breakfast

8:00 - 8:15 - Current recommendations for evaluating dyspepsia

8:15 - 8:30 - How to endoscopically manage dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus

8:30 - 8:45 - Endoscopic management of non variceal bleeding

8:45 - 9:00 - Varices and the changing role for endotherapy

9:00 - 9:15 - What are the considerations for successful endoscopic dilation?

9:15 - 9:30 – Biliary endoscopy, the emerging role of choledochoscopy in managing suspected bile duct stones

9:30 - 10:00 - Discussion

10:15 - 10:30 - Optimal patient preparation and sedation for colonoscopy

10:30 - 10:45 - Tricks and tools for increasing adenoma detection rate?

10:45 - 11:00 – AI for improving polyp identification during colonoscopy

11:00 - 11:15 - Removal and surveillance implications of small colonic polyps

11:15 - 11:30 - Attempting endoscopic resection versus referral for large colonic polyps

11:30 - 11:45 - Advances and challenges in endoscopic training

11:45 - 12:15 – Discussion

12:15 - 13:00 - Lunch

13:00 - 16:30 - Hands-On Stations (15 minutes rotation

Cost:

$500; Half Day (lecture only): Member
$600; Half Day (lecture only): Non-Member
$300; Half Day (lecture only): Member (Resident, Fellow)
$350; Half Day (lecture only): Non-Member (Resident, Fellow)
$300 Half Day (lecture only): Medical Students, Respiratory Therapists, Nurses, Retirees
$800; Full Day (lecture and skills lab): Member
$900; Full Day (lecture and skills lab): Non-Member
$500; Full Day (lecture and skills lab): Member (Resident, Fellow)
$550; Full Day (lecture and skills lab): Non-Member (Resident, Fellow)
$450; Full Day (lecture and skills lab): Medical Students, Respiratory Therapists, Nurses, Retirees

Learning Objectives:

Part 1: Didactic Session

Understand clinical tips for improving upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy outcomes;
Understand clinical tips for handling difficult endoscopy situations such as GI bleeding, polypectomy, and obstruction;

Part 2: Hands-on Skills Lab (Credits: This section of the course is a section 3 credits)

Understand the current and future role of flexible endoscopy in their surgical practice;
Describe safe techniques for upper endoscopy and colonoscopy, including polypectomy and successful hemostasis;
Define the indications for EMR, dilatation, and stenting;
Perform various endoscopic procedures in a lab setting including polypectomy, injection, clipping, hemospray, dilatation and stenting;

Post-Graduate Courses

Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS) Post-Graduate Course: General Surgery Essentials (PDF)

Canadian Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (CSCRS) / CASCADES Post-Graduate Course: Fundamentals of Sustainable Operating Rooms (PDF)

Canadian Hernia Society (CHS) Post-Graduate Course: From Basics to Advanced Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (PDF)

Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgery Post Graduate Course: Masterclass in Chest Wall Diseases (PDF)

Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS): OB Simulation Post Graduate Course (PDF)

For further assistant, please contact the CSF Staff at csf@cags-accg.ca.

Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS) Post-Graduate Course:
General Surgery Essentials (PDF)

Canadian Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (CSCRS) /
CASCADES Post-Graduate Course:
Fundamentals of Sustainable Operating Rooms (PDF)

Canadian Hernia Society (CHS) Post-Graduate Course:
From Basics to Advanced Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (PDF)

Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgery Post Graduate Course:
Masterclass in Chest Wall Diseases (PDF)

Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS):
OB Simulation Post Graduate Course (PDF)