Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery Course

Course Co-Directors

Carl Snyderman, MD, MBA,
Paul Gardner, MD
Juan Fernandez-Miranda, MD

2013 Course Dates:

March 3-6, 2013 (SOLD-OUT)
Guest Faculty: Ivan El-Sayed, MD and Manish Aghi, MD

August 14-17, 2013
Guest Faculty: James Liu, MD and Jean Eloy, MD

November 13-16, 2013
Guest Faculty: Aldo Stamm, MD

Course Overview Highlights

This comprehensive 4-day course is a presentation of minimally invasive techniques for endoscopic endonasal surgery of the pituitary fossa and cranial base. Experts on the subject will present the anatomical and technical aspects of this procedure along with risks, benefits and outcomes.

The course features interactive live surgery, fresh anatomical dissection (including skills stations, anatomical models, and state-of-the-art endoscopic equipment with image guidance), lectures and videos, 3D anatomy lectures, and case presentations.  Participants will have an opportunity to enhance their knowledge regarding endoscopic surgery of the cranial base and pituitary fossa using minimally invasive techniques.

This course is sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, the Department of Neurological Surgery, the Department of Otolaryngology, and the UPMC Center for Cranial Base Surgery.

Course Schedule

Day 1: Lectures: Principles, Anatomy, Levels I & II (Sinuses, Pituitary, CSF Leaks); Anatomical Dissection, Prosection, 3D Anatomy

Day 2: Live Surgery; Lectures: Endonasal Modules, Level III (Extradural Cranial Base, Sagittal Plane); Anatomical Dissection, Prosection, 3D Anatomy

Day 3: Lectures: Levels IV & V (Intradural Cranial Base, Coronal Plane); Anatomical Dissection, Prosection, 3D Anatomy

Day 4: Lectures: Complications & Outcomes; Case Discussions, Anatomical Dissection, Prosection, 3D Anatomy

Who Should Attend

This advanced course is designed for neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists, head and neck surgeons, and skull base surgeons who are interested in the most recent developments in endoscopic surgery of the cranial base and pituitary fossa.

Participation by all individuals is encouraged. Advance notification of any special needs will help us provide better service. Please notify us of your needs at least three weeks in advance of the course by contacting Mary Jo Tutchko either by phone (001-412-647-8186) or by email (tutchkomj@upmc.edu). 

Course Objectives

Following completion of this program, participants should be able to:

• Review 3D anatomic relationships of the sinonasal cavity, pituitary fossa, and ventral skull base.
• Describe minimally invasive approaches for endoscopic surgery of the cranial base and pituitary fossa.
• Identify methods to avoid and manage major complications of endoscopic surgery of the cranial base and pituitary fossa.

Registration Fees

Full Course Registration:

$3,000 Single Registrant (1 cadaver head x 1 registrant)
$5,000 Team Registration (1 cadaver head x 2 registrants)

Includes course handout, all lectures, hands-on cadaver dissection, and meals/social events listed in the program.

Observer Registration:

$1,000 (includes course handout, all lectures and meals/social events listed in the program but does not include hands-on cadaver dissection).

Reduced registration fees are available for residents and fellows.

To register, please contact:

Mary Jo Tutchko, Conference Manager 
Center for Cranial Base Surgery 
200 Lothrop Street, EEI 500 
Pittsburgh PA 15213 
Phone: (412) 647-8186 
Fax: (412) 647-2080
E-mail: tutchkomj@upmc.edu

It is strongly recommended that you register early for this course as registration is limited due to the number of stations in the anatomical dissection laboratory. Registrations will be accepted in the order in which they are received. Please do not make travel arrangements until you have received an official confirmation letter.  Please allow sufficient time for international visas.

Meeting Location and Hotel Accommodations

UPMC Presbyterian University Hospital Campus
200 Lothrop Street
Pittsburgh (Oakland), PA 15213

Hotels within walking distance of campus:

Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center (Course Hotel)
100 Lytton Avenue
Pittsburgh (Oakland), PA 15213
Phone: (412) 682-6200
Distance from campus 0.7 miles; travel time on foot 10 minutes

A block of rooms is being held at the rate of $129.00. To make an online reservation, please click on www.wyndham.com/hotels/47154 , go to "Rooms & Rates," type in your desired dates, go to "Special Rates & Codes," and type in the group code 08136841MIS for the August 14-17 course or 11126841MIS for the November 13-16 course.

Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh University Place
3454 Forbes Avenue 
Pittsburgh PA 15213 
Phone: (412) 683-2040
Distance from campus 0.3 miles; travel time on foot 5 minutes

Hampton Inn Pittsburgh University Center
3315 Hamlet Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: (412) 681-1000
Special Rate Code: Corporate Account #0560001041 
Distance from campus 0.7 miles; travel time on foot 15 minutes

Quality Inn University Center
3401 Boulevard of the Allies
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: (412) 683-6100
Distance from campus 0.74 miles; travel time on foot 15 minutes

Continuing Medical Education Credit

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Each physician should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

What Other Participants Are Saying

Here’s what participants from our most recent course had to say:

• “The organization and cooperation on all the questions we had was spectacular.”
• “Absolutely spectacular course in every way.
• “Great course. Really well organized. Phenomenal staff.”
• “Excellent live surgery and lectures (especially 3D anatomy lectures).”
• “I was very impressed with the facilities and hospitality. Brilliant anatomic descriptions and prosections. I would recommend this to colleagues – good for those rhinologists who do not do skull base work as it increases their confidence in the anatomy and prevent potential complications.”
• “The best course I’ve ever attended; learned a great deal.”

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be in writing and sent via US/air mail, e-mail or fax. Tuition for cancellations postmarked or date-stamped 90 days before the first day of the course will be completely refunded. No refunds will be made if notice received less than 90 days from the first day of the course. Cancellation requests should be sent to:

Mary Jo Tutchko, Conference Manager 
UPMC Center for Cranial Base Surgery 
200 Lothrop Street, EEI 500 
Pittsburgh PA 15213 
Phone: (412) 647-8186
Fax: (412) 647-2080
E-mail: tutchkomj@upmc.edu

The UPMC/Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences reserves the right to cancel this program if sufficient registrations are not received. In the case of cancellation, the department will fully refund registration fees. However, other costs incurred by the registrant, such as airline or hotel penalties, are the responsibility of the registrant.

Contact Us

Mary Jo Tutchko, Conference Manager
UPMC Center for Cranial Base Surgery 
200 Lothrop Street, EEI 500
Pittsburgh PA 15213 
Phone: (412) 647-8186 
Fax: (412) 647-2080 
Email: tutchkomj@upmc.edu