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In This Issue
A AG L A dva n c i n g M i n i m a l l y I nva s ive G y n e c o l o g y Wo r l dw i d e
NewsScope
You Will Be the Winner
JUL – SEPT 2010
VOL. 24 NO. 3
Buy your airline ticket now, select
your gorgeous room, and register
for the 39th AAGL Global Congress
of Minimally Invasive Gynecology,
November 8-12, 2010 at the newly
renovated Caesars Palace in Las
Vegas, Nevada. The hotel has firstDr. Bradley
class amenities. For five days you
will be in the city that never sleeps, entertainment that
will dazzle you, and a hotel with world class conference facilities.
Our Scientific Planning Committee and Board
unanimously bet that you will experience one of
the most memorable, fun, and educational Annual
Meetings. Globalization of the Annual Meeting has
been an essential component of planning that has
led to our success. Our international physicians and
national speakers bring diversity of thought, shared
experiences, and
most importantly a
cultural understanding of how “best
surgical procedures
and practices” cultivated around the
globe can be shared
communally.
We have wagered
a few bets. I bet that
we would exceed the number of abstracts, posters,
and videos submitted for an annual meeting. Guess
what? I won. The qualities of the abstracts submitted are nothing less than spectacular. My intuition
tells me that we have a few emerging producers/
musicians in our midst. Myriad educational and
entertaining surgical videos were accepted this
year. They demonstrate the highest caliber of surgical precision, illustration of surgical anatomy,
and clinical pearls. Once the votes are tabulated,
I wager that you will be impressed by the winners.
Revamping the format of the posters brings new
energy and vitality to the Annual Meeting. Wait
until you experience it! See more on page 17.
You must bring a colleague or resident to the
Annual meeting. Why? Certainly, it helps to have
a friend nudge you away from the casino if you are
loosing your shirt and skirt to the Blackjack, roulette
table, Baccarat board, or the penny slot machines.
However, bringing a colleague or resident would
quadruple your return on investment. Why? Two
is better than one!! Two individuals (or more)
attending the meeting together fosters discussion
about innovations learned that will increase your
competitiveness locally. Bringing a colleague from
home will create a synergy, zeal, and animated
discussions about implementation of surgical procedures at home. You both will make contacts with
a variety of thought leaders around the globe that
will be life long mentors. In your tool-box you will
add many new resources. Your new lexicon will
include: SurgeryU, Mini-Fellowships, International
Meetings to add to your calendar, and invaluable
resources from our AAGL LISTSERV, Endo Exchange.
Finally you may want to become involved with a
Special Interest Group. By the time that you both
return home, you will have conversed on the plane,
drawn up your new
business plans, and
have the strategies
to implement new
t e ch n i q u e s i n t o
your practice. New
knowledge is infectious.
With record numbers of pre-congress
and postgraduate
courses as well as New Frontiers (formally called
Debates), video sessions, Surgical Tutorials, and luncheon round tables….you just won’t be able to do it or
see it all. Bring a colleague and select varying venues,
so that your practice can “have it all”. In so doing, our
patients are the winners!
The Congress has continued with many traditional courses that have historically been winners.
We have paired seasoned course directors and
moderators with enthusiastic experienced emerging
leaders. This triples the benefits to our members.
Hands-on courses in hysteroscopy, suturing, and
cadaver labs return to Las Vegas. This year the
buzz words are “robotic and single port surgery.”
Experience these techniques in Pre Congress and
Post Graduate Courses as well as during several of
the live telesurgery events.
You pick the winner from the simultaneous sur(Continued on page 11)
NewsScope
Focus on AAGL
The AAGL’s Role in Education
When the AAGL began in
1971 it basically was a forum
for clinicians to learn about
laparoscopy and later hysteroscopy. These recently popularized procedures were not
being taught in residencies.
Dr. Loffer
Their advocates at that time
saw their potentials. And today many see them
as the catalysts for other minimally invasive procedures. The educational programs at that time
were primarily “how to do” and early reports
were often little more than expanded “case
reports” of diagnostic and minor procedures.
As instrumentation became more sophisticated
and endoscopic surgeons more experienced
endoscopy was able to replace some traditionally
open procedures such as ectopic pregnancies
and submucosal myomectomies. Those surgeons
who had become skilled in more advanced
endoscopic procedures were reporting their
results, but formal training for others was difficult to obtain. The “how to do” courses which
were available often lacked sufficient training
to allow surgeons to safely integrate these new
procedures into their practice. These deficiencies
in training in gynecology were magnified when
essentially all open gynecological procedures
could be accomplished endoscopically.
In 2001, the AAGL and the ASRM joined
to establish a formal postgraduate training
program in endoscopy. Although not recognized by the American Board of Obstetrics
and Gynecology, The Fellowship in Minimally
Invasive Gynecologic Surgery is accomplishing
its purpose in giving advanced endoscopic training to gynecologists not available elsewhere. As
(Continued on page 19)
From the President
AAGL Marches Forward
Spectacular things are happening with AAGL! The
organization is experiencing phenomenal progress on
numerous fronts. From our
ambitious international mission to the proliferation of
Dr. Liu
programs and projects here
and abroad, the scope of AAGL has expanded
significantly. Here are a few of the highlights:
International Mission of AAGL:
The primary goal of our international mission is to capitalize upon the proficiency of our
international colleagues to provide top quality
minimally invasive gynecology for the benefit of
all patients regardless of where they live. As the
premier international society of minimally invasive gynecology, AAGL is in a pivotal position to
undertake this privilege.
With a current membership of 4,864, the
organization now boasts a full 30% representation by our international members. We also have
41 Affiliated Societies representing over 15,000
members. The past few years have witnessed
2
JUL - SEPT 2010
increasingly solid ties with our affiliate societies
through improved communication, exchange of
knowledge and surgical techniques, and stronger
collaborative efforts in education and training.
In addition to our annual scientific meeting in
the United States, we have launched international
and regional meetings around the globe. This
past June, we held the 4th international meeting, a successful event in Dubrovnik, Croatia
(see page 16). Representatives from the AAGL
attended our Asia Pacific Regional Meeting held
in Singapore at the end of September in conjunction with the Asian Pacific Association of
Gynecologic Endoscopists (APAGE).
Two international meetings are slated for next
year – the first one April 6-10, 2011, in Istanbul,
Turkey, and the second one December 9-12,
2011, in Osaka, Japan. The international meeting for 2012 has already been scheduled for
Buenos Aires, Argentina, April 25-28 2012. Mark
on your calendar now for what promises to be
outstanding events.
At the last meeting in July, the Board formed
a special committee to study AAGL’s response to
(Continued on page 8)
NewsScope
t h e a a g l v i sio n
The AAGL vision is to serve women
by advancing the safest and most
efficacious diagnostic and therapeutic
techniques that provide less invasive
treatments for gynecologic conditions
through integration of clinical practice,
research, innovation, and dialogue.
editorial s ta ff
Managing Editors
Linda Michels
Franklin D. Loffer, M.D.
Editorial Staff
Lynn Bell
Barbara Hodgson
Art Director
Dené Glamuzina
Jennifer Sanchez
board of truste e s
President
C.Y. Liu, M.D.
Vice-President
Linda D. Bradley, M.D.
Secretary-Treasurer
Keith B. Isaacson, M.D.
Immediate Past President
Resad P. Pasic, M.D., Ph.D.
International Vice-President
Errico Zupi, M.D.
Trustees
Mauricio S. Abrao, M.D.
Ted L. Anderson, M.D., Ph.D.
Viviane F. Connor, M.D.
Peter J. Maher, M.D.
Rosanne M. Kho, M.D.
Harry Reich, M.D.
Eugenio Solima, M.D.
Edward J. Stanford, M.D.
Executive Vice President,
Medical Director
Franklin D. Loffer, M.D.
Executive Director
Linda Michels
NewsScope [Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data, Main entry under NewsScope, Vol. 24,
No. 3; (ISSN 1094–4672)] is published quarterly by
the AAGL for ten dollars, paid from member’s dues.
Periodicals Postage Paid at Cypress, California.
Copyright 2010 AAGL.
Publisher
AAGL
Advancing Minimally Invasive Gynecology Worldwide
6757 Katella Avenue
Cypress, California 90630-5105 USA
Tel 714.503.6200, 800.554.2245
Fax 714.503.6201, 714.503.6202
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.aagl.org
The views and opinions expressed by the authors in this
publication do not necessarily reflect those of
NewsScope, its editors, and/or the AAGL.
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NewsScope
Perspective on Robotics
A Flight Plan for Credentialing
There is no question that
robotic assisted surgery
has grabbed the attention of both surgeons
and patients alike. This
remarkable computer
Dr. Lenihan Jr.
assisted technology has
benefitted both surgeons
who were not comfortable with their vaginal
or laparoscopic skills as well as advanced
surgeons who are able to operate more efficiently with improved vision and ergonomics when performing complex laparoscopic
procedures. But, as with any new and
evolving technology, there have been growing pains. In particular, developing mastery
in robotic surgery requires a basic comfort
and surgical skills to begin with, a dedication to get through the learning curve, and
finally continued frequent utilization of this
technique to maintain skills. Just like flying
a jet airplane, this is not a procedure that
a surgeon can learn and master quickly or
perform infrequently in a safe and efficient
manner.1,2 There have been several early
reports of surgical complications resulting
from inexperience as well as poor surgical judgment. The pressure to learn and
become proficient with robotics in order to
keep up with increasing patient demands
for minimally invasive procedures has outstripped our professional organization’s
ability to establish guidelines and policies
for the safe implementation of this rapidly
advancing technology.
To this end, at last year’s AAGL meeting, the AAGL Board voted to form a new
Special Interest Group (SIG) focused on
robotic-assisted surgery. Under the direction
of Arnold Advincula, MD who led the first
meeting of the Robotics SIG, the members
present determined that the SIG should
approach two goals in the coming year. The
first was to organize and develop outcome
data on the use of robotics that could be
factually compared to existing methodologies of performing reproductive surgery in
4
JUL - SEPT 2010
women. The second goal was to develop
recommendations on establishing training
and credentialing policies for hospitals that
wish to implement this technology and start
robotic programs.
The subcommittee charged with developing credentialing guidelines looked to
the existing model used by the military and
aviation industries. There are many similarities between surgeons and pilots that make
this model extremely useful.3 Both pilots
and surgeons must undergo initial training
and certification. But unlike pilots, surgeons
are usually then able to continue operating
without any further evaluations or requirements for demonstrating proficiency. Pilots
There are many
similarities between
surgeons and pilots
that make this model
extremely useful.
cases before jumping into more complex
procedures, and 4th – developing standards
for ongoing certification of proficiency possibly utilizing standard deviations from normal benchmarks or even using simulation
to measure ability to perform robotic skills
in a safe manner.
This evolution towards requiring surgeons
to operate more frequently and to be able
to demonstrate competency in order to be
recertified is clearly a direction that our specialty should move in. In the long run, surgeons who don’t maintain their skills will be
encouraged or even required to refer major
surgeries to minimally invasive surgeons
who can demonstrate improved outcomes
for their patients. This is a win-win-win for
surgeons, healthcare systems, and especially
for patients. If any AAGL members want to
share their hospital’s current credentialing
requirements or wish to offer opinions on
this approach, please email your info to:
[email protected].
References:
1. Payne T, Dauterive FR. Robotically assisted hysterectomy: 100 cases after then learning curve. J Robotic
Surg, (2010) 4-1, 11-17. Doi:10.1007/s11701-010-
have both currency requirements (they are
required to have a certain number of takeoffs
and landings every six months in order to
retain their licenses) as well as competency
requirements (pilots are required to be
able to demonstrate advanced procedures
on a regular basis both in the air and in
simulators to maintain their advanced flight
ratings.) We think that this is a good model
for surgeons attempting to use advanced
technologies as well.
The Robotics SIG is completing work on
credentialing recommendations that will
consist of the following major concepts:
1st - initial training and proctoring recommendations, 2nd – a minimum number of
cases required annually or semi-annually to
maintain skills (and privileges), 3rd – recommendations for beginning slowly with easy
0174-2.
2. Lenihan J, Kovanda C, & Kreaden, U. What is the
learning curve for robotic assisted gynecologic surgery?
J Minim Invasive Gynecol. Sep 2008; Vol 15: 589594.
3. Nance J. Why hospitals should fly. The ultimate
flight plan to patient safety and quality care. Second
River Healthcare Press, Bozeman MT. 2008.
John Lenihan Jr., M.D. is at Tacoma Women’s
Specialists and is Assistant Clinical Professor at
University of Washington School of Medicine in
Tacoma, Washington.
This article is presented on behalf of the AAGL’s
Special Interest Group on Robotics.
Presented by the
AAGL
Advancing Minimally Invasive Gynecology Worldwide
AAGL
2010 Educational Sponsors
For nearly 40 years the AAGL’s commitment to education has been paramount to our
mission of serving women by advancing the safest and most effective treatments for
gynecologic conditions. We gratefully acknowledge the generous educational grants from the
following corporations who partner with us in achieving this mission.
Platinum Plus
Platinum
Gold
Silver
TM
Bronze
AS OF JULY 2010
NewsScope
Perspective on Oncology
Nerve-Sparing Radical Hysterectomy: Anatomical Surgical
Demonstration or Real Patient Benefit?
It is a well-known fact
that radical hysterectomy
for early-stage cervical
cancer is associated
with significant morbidity. This is primarily due
to the trauma of pelvic
Dr. Gilabertautonomic innervation.
Estelles
The greatest compromise stems from the impact on bladder and
bowel function. Similarly, a large number of
patients are young and sexually active, thus
the sexual dysfunction implications must
also be considered. Moreover, this spectrum
of morbidity has been traditionally accepted
by patients and physicians with the understanding that survival is the main goal of the
oncological treatment.
During the past two decades a substantial interest regarding the understanding of
pelvic neuroanatomy has been generated
among gynecological oncologists. The innovative concept of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy has been implemented in many
cancer centers and has been also considered
an important factor in the new classification
for radical hysterectomy recently described
by Querleu and Morrow1.
The preservation of parasympathetic
splanchnic nerves in the paracervix was first
described half century ago by the group of
Kobayashi from Tokyo using a laparotomic
approach2. Several Japanese authors demonstrated that the more lateral the paracervical
excision, the greater nerve damage and more
profound alteration of the function of the rectum and bladder3,4. A division through palpation of the neural and the vascular portions of
the lateral parametrium permitted the preservation of the splanchnic nerves decreasing
the urological and rectal dysfunction, without
compromising the oncological results.
Despite these advantages, nerve-sparing
techniques were not adopted in Europe and
America until the introduction of minimally
invasive surgery. The introduction of advanced
endoscopic equipment with improved visualization has facilitated the identification of
6
JUL - SEPT 2010
neural pathways and an increasing number
of publications have described laparoscopic
nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy5. Although
the enthusiasm for performing nerve-sparing
procedures; even in the setting of fertility preservation6, continues to expand, there remains
a significant amount of criticism regarding
the actual benefits of the procedure. This is
particularly evidenced by recently published
randomized data by Landoni et al.7 where
there was no benefit found between class III
(classical) radical hysterectomy and class II
(modified radical) procedure.
It should be emphasized that the extent of
surgical radicality is a consequence of exact
preoperative and intraoperative assessments
of risk factors, and some groups propose
critical nerve structures involved in bladder
and rectal function, but also other critical
structures in the retroperitoneum such as
the hypogastric vessels and ureter. In select
patients, particularly those patients with
larger tumors (stage IB2-IIA); a nerve-sparing
radical hysterectomy should be considered.
Laparoscopic and robotic surgery provides
excellent opportunities in this particular setting and surgeons should become proficient
in the details of this important technique.
References:
1. Querleu D, Morrow CP. Classification of radical
hysterectomy. Lancet Oncol 2008;9:297-303.
2. Kobayashi T. Abdominal radical hysterectomy with
pelvic lymphadenectomy for cancer of the cervix (in
Japanese). Tokyo: Nanzando; 1961.
We must strive to
assure that patients
undergo the most
appropriate procedure
for their disease...
3. Sakamoto S, Takazawa K, An improved radical
hysterectomy with fewer urological complications and
with no loss of therapeutic results for cervical cancer.
Ballieres Clin Obstet Gynaecol 1999;2: 953-62
4. Yabuki Y, Asamoto A, Hoshiba T, Nishimoto H,
Kitamura S. Dissection of the cardinal ligament in radical
hysterectomy for cervical cancer with emphasis on the
lateral ligament. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1991; 164:7-14
5. Malzoni, M, Tinelli, R, Cosentino F,Perone C,
Vicario V. Feasibility, morbidity, and safety of total
laparoscopic radical hysterectomy with lymphadenec-
that there is a place in high risk patients
for even the type C radical hysterectomy1.
Preservation of the more distal portion of
the pelvic plexus is feasible and seems to
have satisfactory results in bladder function
recovery. According to Fuji´s description,
the division of the anterior and posterior leaf
of the vesicouterine ligament, after identification of anatomical landmarks such as the
middle vesical vein allows the preservation
of adequate urinary function8.
We must strive to assure that patients
undergo the most appropriate procedure
for their disease and that thorough consideration of the associated risk factors be
performed prior to planning the type of
radical hysterectomy performed. One must
always emphasize adequate surgical anatomical dissection, not only to identify the
tomy: Our experience. J Minim Invasive Gynecol
2007:14;584–90
6. Martin A, Torrent A. Laparoscopic nerve-sparing
radical trachelectomy: surgical technique and outcome.
J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2010;17:37-41.
7. Landoni F, Maneo A, Cormio G et al. Radical hysterectomy in stage IB-IIA cervical cancer: a prospective
randomized study. Gynecol Oncol 2001;80:3-12
8. Fujii S, Takakura K, Matsumura N, Higuchi T, Yura
S, Mandai M, Baba T. Precise anatomy of the vesicouterine ligament for radical hysterectomy. Gynecol
Oncol 2007;104:186–91.
Juan Gilabert-Estelles, M.D., Ph.D. is in the
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University
Hospital La Fe, Valencia, European Gynecology
Endoscopy School-Valencia (Spain).
This article is presented on behalf of the AAGL’s
Special Interest Group on Oncology
NewsScope
From the President (Continued from Page 2)
the needs of the international community
of minimally invasive gynecologists. Board
members from Australia, Brazil and Italy
along with Board members who have extensive experience lecturing world-wide were
appointed to the committee. The group will
identify he gaps in our outreach to international members and to strategize about how
best to meet the current gaps and future
needs for the next decade. The chair of the
committee is Franklin D. Loffer and if you
wish to communicate your understanding
of the needs of international gynecologists,
please email him at [email protected].
Essentials in Minimally Invasive Gynecology–
An Assessment Based Certificate Program
Along with the recognition that mastery of
endoscopic surgical competency and proficiency is not easy, we become painfully aware
of our lag behind general surgery. How
disappointing to see that the most recent educational objectives of the Council on Resident
Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology
(CREOG) of ACOG still identify “laparoscopy,
diagnostic and/or operative” as an “understand” objective rather than an “understand
and perform” expectation.1 AAGL, as the
primary endoscopic surgical society in the
U.S and now worldwide, can no longer insulate itself in complacency. While continuing
to provide postgraduate training courses for
practicing gynecologists as well as for residents, and continuing to offer and even expand
advanced fellowship training programs, we
cannot remain in status quo. Hence, last
March, an initiative was launched for an
assessment-based certificate program, equivalent to general surgery’s “FLS” (Fundamentals
of Laparoscopic Surgery) but specific to gynecology with inclusion of hysteroscopy. This
significant undertaking currently involves 22
stakeholders from inside and outside AAGL
and an additional 12 members who will be
meeting prior to the Global Congress in Las
Vegas to complete the next phase. The projected date of completion is June, 2011.
SurgeryU
The video journal SurgeryU is the world’s
largest video library for gynecologic endoscopy,
containing over 650 surgical videos. It has
recently added a Professional Network System
that enables live global interactive exchange of
opinions and ideas among its members. With
this new system, two highly successful interactive live telesurgery events have been hosted,
both of which were streamlined to members in
various countries. More live events have been
scheduled, and advance notice to the members
will be forthcoming. Additional current hostings include SurgeryU Collaboratives and JMIG
Today. Interested members may go to www.
SurgeryU.com for further events.
Fellowship in Advanced Minimally Invasive
Gynecologic Surgery Programs
Currently 34 fellowship programs have
received approval and continue under stringent
monitoring by the Fellowship Board. Rigorous
requirements and educational objectives have
been established to ensure the competency of
graduates of the programs. The number of candidates applying for the fellowship programs
has increased by 19% from last year to the
current count of 93 applicants for fellowship
commencing July, 2011. The Fellowship Board
is also actively exploring the possible establishment of international programs.
Numerous other exciting developments
continue which will be shared with you at
our Annual Meeting in November. I hope
you can join us at that time.
References:
1. Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and
Gynecology. CREOG’s educational objectives, a core curriculum in obstetrics and gynecology. 9th ed. Washington, DC:
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; 2009.
C.Y. Liu, M.D. is President of the AAGL and also
serves on the faculty for the Fellowship in Minimally
Invasive Gynecologic Surgery located at the Women’s
Surgery Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Mankind and Technolog y in Per fect Harmony
6th AAGL International Congress
on Minimally Invasive Gynecology
in partnership with
JSGOE
in association with
12th APAGE Annual Congress
December 9 (Fri.) - 11 (Sun.) 2011
Osaka International Convention Center
(Grand Cube Osaka ) Osaka, Japan
C O N G R E S S
S E C R E T A R I A T
Medical Supply Japan Co., Ltd. 2-18-6 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0034, Japan Tel: +81-3-5842-9771 Fax: +81-3-5842-9791
e-mail: [email protected] URL: http://www.aagl-apage-2011-osaka.com
8
JUL - SEPT 2010
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Gynecologic and Obstetric
Endoscopy and Minimally
Invasive Therapy
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NewsScope
Affiliated Societies Spotlight
Sociedad Argentina de Cirugía Laparoscópica (SACiL)
Sociedad Argentina de Cirugía Laparoscópica
(SACIL) was founded only 17 years ago but
has grown to become a major medical
organization in Argentina. As outlined by
President Rodriquez they recognized the
evolution that has occurred from laparoscopy to the broader vision of minimally
invasive surgery and expanded their objectives accordingly.
SACil’s role in education is exemplary. Their
teaching programs were recognized by the
government and they have been entrusted to
credential surgeons according to their level
of expertise. They have held local and major
regional and international meetings.
The AAGL is very pleased to count SACiL
as an Affiliated Society and to have them
host the 7th AAGL International meeting in
Buenos Aires.
Franklin D. Loffer, M.D.
Executive Vice President/
Medical Director, AAGL
The
Sociedad
Argentina de Cirugía
L a p a r o s c ó p i c a wa s
founded on March 26,
1994 in Buenos Aires,
with a real national
spirit. About one hunDr. Rodriguez
dred physicians from all
around the country gathered together at
that time as founding members to create
this society.
As expressed in the inaugural document,
the aims of our Society remain valid even
today, and they are:
1. To promote the development and
application of laparoscopic approach in all
fields of surgery.
2. To participate in the study of new ways
of applying the technique.
3. To ensure the pursuit of excellence
through continuous training of the physicians specialized in that matter.
4. To search for consensus on surgical techniques, indications and technical
scopes of the procedure.
5. To provide interaction between other
specialties that use laparoscopy as a surgical
approach.
6. To unify criteria for Certification in
Laparoscopic Surgery in different surgical
specialties and different levels of complexity.
After seventeen years from the Society´s
founding, and according to the evolution
of laparoscopic surgery and medicine in
general, it became necessary to incorporate
new objectives:
• To promote the relationship between
other national and international medical
societies involved in the widespread diffusion of laparoscopic surgery in all fields:
scientific, medical, educational, ethical and
professional.
• To provide the incorporation of surgical
techniques grouped under the concept of
minimally invasive procedures.
• To create forum discussions in order to
share useful experience and data to establish
universal procedural protocols endorsed by
the International Medical Society.
At present we have a list of 400 members.
The head office settled in Buenos Aires, and
we have both a scientific and administrative
secretary. We have a web page (www.sacil.
org.ar) and a medical outreach magazine
is published on a regular basis distributed
free-of-charge for our members.
We have the authorization, as a Scientific
Authority, to grant Certificates of Accreditation in
Laparoscopic Surgery with three levels of complexity, acknowledged by the National Ministry
of Health and other institutions in our country.
Theoretical and practical “hands on”
courses are given to professionals throughout the year providing them different levels
of training in the discipline and we offer
legal advice in lawsuits when needed.
We welcome all members of the AAGL
to join us when we host the 7th AAGL
International Congress on Minimally Invasive
Gynecology in partnership with SACil, April
25-28, 2012 in Buenos Aires.
Dr. José Luis Rodriguez M.D. is President of the the
Sociedad Argentina de Cirugía Laparoscópica.
You Will Be the Winner (Continued from Page 1)
geries broadcast that highlights traditional
straight-stick laparoscopic myomectomy
compared to robotic myomectomy. We
can’t forget that vaginal hysterectomy
is the original minimally invasive procedure. Witness its re-emergence and
rebirth this year with exceptional vaginal
surgery telesurgery and lectures that
remind us not to abandon this technique.
The Annual Meeting will convene the
best laparoscopic/hysteroscopic/ urogynecologic surgeons who will update
attendees on new energy systems, morcellators, outcome data, and discuss
methods to minimize and recognize
complications. New this year, is an
excellent postgraduate session on the
fundamentals in laparoscopy for those
physicians who are transitioning their
surgical practice. Across the educational
spectrum experience, ultrasound lectures
as never given before, case-based presentations on uterine fibroid therapies, and
a new postgraduate course on Medicine
Matters (sexuality, hormone therapy, and
pre-operative evaluation).
Finally, our keynote speaker, Dr.
Michael Roizen, well-known author of
numerous books and has frequent appearances on Oprah Winfrey’s television program, now co-authors with Dr. Mehmet
Oz, will address us on the topic of self
care. This will be a keynote address not
to miss.
Register early, bring a colleague, and
be prepared to experience the 39th Global
Congress as you have never experienced
it before. Something old and something
new awaits you. I know that this is a
winner!! See you in Las Vegas, November
8-12, 2010.
“Last year people won more than one
billion dollars playing poker. And casinos
made twenty-seven billion just by being
around those people.”
–Samantha Bee
Linda D. Bradley, M.D., is the Vice President of
the AAGL and the Scientific Program Chair for the
39th AAGL Global Congress on Minimally Invasive
Gynecology. She is also Vice Chair of Ob/Gyn and
Women’s Health Institute and Director, Center
for Menstrual Disorders, Fibroids & Hysteroscopic
Services at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.
JUL - SEPT 2010
11
NewsScope
SurgeryU
SurgeryU Rolls Out Live Surgical Events
It has been a busy summer at SurgeryU as we
moved our focus to our
new Surgical Events
Series. The first streaming surgery was initiated on June 23rd from
Dr. Stepanian
the XXIII International
Congress “New Technologies for Diagnosis
and Treatment of Gynecologic Diseases,”
held in Moscow, Russia. This meeting was endorsed by the Russian Federal
Government and included essentially all
fields of gynecologic surgery. We captured
and streamed a number of precise surgical
procedures by a cadre of wonderfully adept
gynecologic surgeons. I would like to thank
Professor Leila Adamyan for opening her
operating room and her congress to us.
The first surgery from the USA took place
on July 13th and included pelvic floor
reconstructive procedures, including the
newest vaginal approaches as performed
by Dr. John Miklos and Dr. Robert Moore.
It was amazing to see the technical ability and wonderful skill exhibited by Drs.
Miklos and Moore as they worked with
their surgical team to complete these very
complex procedures. We thank both of
these physicians for their dedication to the
AAGL and for sharing their surgical skills
with all of us.
Next, SurgeryU “traveled” to Northside
Hospital and featured a surgery by Dr. Ceana
Nezhat and his team. Dr. Nezhat titled
his surgical presentation: “Conservative
Management of Severe Endometriosis and
Presacral Neurectomy with or without
the Robot? – That is the Question.” Dr.
Nezhat presented laparoscopic and robotic
approaches to the treatment of endometriosis. Thank you, Dr. Nezhat for once again
showing AAGL members how to simplify
their complex surgical cases.
All three live events resulted in large audience participation with over 81countries
represented overall. In addition to watching
the surgery, attendees are able to post questions for the surgeons to answer live which
12
JUL - SEPT 2010
resulted in some very interesting and dynamic
exchanges. If you missed any of the live
events, we are pleased to inform you starting October 1st they will be available free to
AAGL members, just go to Surgeryu.com and
click on the tab entitled: Live Events.
More Live Surgeries Planned
On September 25th, we plan to be in
Chicago to capture two office surgeries
performed by Dr. Charles Miller and Dr.
Aarathi Cholkeri-Singh from the workshop: Adding Office Hysteroscopy to Your
Practice. The cases will include the use
Live Events
of hysteroscopy to remove a polyp and
to perform an offi ce sterilization. This
workshop will conclude our series of one
day hysteroscopy workshops that provided
lectures, live surgical demonstrations and
hands-on labs. The response from our
members has been excellent and more
courses are being considered for 2011.
October also promises to be a full month
with live procedures from Europe where we
will feature the surgical skill and innovation
of Dr. Arnaud Wattiez from Strausbourg,
France and Dr. Mario Malzoni from Avellino,
Italy. Dr. Wattiez is the current President
of the European Society of Gynecologic
Endoscopy (ESGE) and the Course Director
of IRCAD-EITS. Dr. Wattiez is a well known
mentor and instructor to surgeons in minimally invasive surgery and we look forward
to his presentation of a pelvic reconstructive
surgery by high definition. If you have not
had a chance to visit IRCAD, you will not
want to miss this exciting event from the
premier teaching center in Europe.
Dr. Mario Malzoni will present from
the Malzoni Medical Center where he
will demonstrate one of the following
complex cases: Pelvic LymphadenectomyRadical Hysterectomy (TypeC1) or Deep
Endometriosis with Bowel Resection. Dr.
Malzoni is also known as mentor and
teacher and has developed advanced surgical techniques to manage some of our
most complex cases. We know that you
will be inspired by Dr. Malzoni’s surgical
technique.
In addition to the above, SurgeryU will be
active at the AAGL 39th Global Congress,
Novenmber 8-12, 2010 where we plan to
highlight the live surgery performed by Dr.
Keckstein from Nikolaigasse, Vienna. Dr.
Keckstein plans to present the following:
Laparoscopy: Endometriosis with Cul-deSac Obliteration. This surgery will also be
shown by HD and will be streamed live for
those members that are unable to join us in
Las Vegas.
As we have in the past, E-bulletins will be
sent to remind all of you to tune in to watch
these exciting events.
Professional Network System
In the last issue of News Scope, I
described our new Professional Network
System that includes a number of Special
Interest Groups. We are pleased to inform
you that interest has been growing and the
members from the SIG’s and others have
been posting questions and sharing videos.
We encourage you to get engaged with the
group of your choice. It’s easy and informative and can be accessed through the
SurgeryU Social tab on the homepage.
Assia A. Stepanian, M.D. is Editor-in-Chief of
SurgeryU and on the Advisory Committee of the
AAGL. Dr. Stepanian is in private practice at the
Center for Women’s Care & Reproductive Surgery
in Atlanta, Georgia.
Visit our booth #508
39th Global Congress of
Minimally Invasive Gynecology
November 9–12
NEW HALO PKS™ CUTTING FORCEPS
HAND ACTIVATION FOR LAPAROSCOPY & OPEN
LED indicates the device
is selected on the generator.
Features the same great Tip Design
with Serrated Jaws for secure tissue
grasping, coagulation, dissection and
retraction.
Rotation Wheel provides
finger-tip control for up to
330˚ of distal tip rotation.
Easy-to-access hand Blue
Activation Coagulation Button
eliminates the need for a foot
pedal and puts control right
in the surgeon’s hand.
The Cut Blade Trigger is ergonomically
positioned to provide easier access with
one hand and to minimize fatigue.
Optional Latch Slide
provides consistent grasp
on tissue to reduce hand
fatigue.
© 2010 Gyrus ACMI. All rights reserved. ™ and ® Trademarks and Registered Trademark, respectively,
of Olympus and Gyrus ACMI, Inc. or their affiliated entities in the U.S. and/or other countries of the world.
AD345-0810
NewsScope
Summary of AMA Annual Meeting 2010
The AMA met in Chicago
for the Annual Meeting
2010 (June 12-June 16).
The following summarizes the developments.
As many of you are
aware,
there has been
Dr. Gimpelson
some concern about the
dirction of the AMA recently. The House of
Delegates (HOD) let the Board of Trustees
know about their concerns by some of the
resolutions passed as well as the election of
a number of officers and council members.
I believe the AMA will be more sensitive to
the feelings of most physicians throughout
the country in the future.
One of the most significant resolutions
was on Health Care Standards, which asks
the AMA to:
1. Support the ability of non-governmental organizations to evaluate appropriate
medical diagnosis or therapy or current or
new diagnostic or therapeutic tests, proce-
dures, medications or other procedures that
improve the quality of patient care;
2. Support the position that any practice
guidelines, parameters, best practices models, or similar set of principles or clinical
recommendations, whether developed or
issued by government or non-government
organizations, including those that result
from any comparative effectiveness research
or evidence-based medicine system, do not,
and should expressly state that they do not,
establish standard of care of create specific
requirements for physicians that restrict the
exercise of their clinical judgment;
3. Urge any organization, whether governmental or non-governmental, promulgating any practice guidelines, parameters, best
practices models, or similar set of principles
or clinical recommendations, to include a
statement that they are guidelines only; and
4. Urge any organization, whether governmental or non-governmental, promulgating any practice guidelines, parameters, best
practices models, or similar set of principles
or clinical recommendations, to set and make
publicly available a regular schedule for review
and update and to include the level of evidence supporting the guidelines. (Res. 205).
Other significant resolutions most relevant
to the AAGL members will be covered in the
next issue of NewsScope.
I want to thank Marcy Zwelling, M.D.
and Ginnie Yee from the California Medical
Association; Peter Levine, M.D. and
Toya Sledd from the AMA Orthopedics
Section Council; Allan Jensen, M.D. from
the Baltimore City/MedChi staff, and
Camran Nezhat, M.D. from the Society
of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons for kindly
providing the information for me to put this
summary together.
Richard J. Gimpelson, M.D. is a former AAGL
President, Advisor and is the AAGL delegate to the
AMA. He is also in private practice in Chesterfield,
Missouri.
(Continued on page 14)
14
JUL - SEPT 2010
NewsScope
A Report from Another Successful International Meeting
Four years ago, AAGL
embarked on a new
journey organizing
international meetings
around the globe. The
purpose was to bring
AAGL to those members
Dr. Pasic
who could not attend
our annual meetings held during the month
of November in the United States. To show
dedication to our members and international
Affiliated Societies, so far we have organized
very successful meetings in Palermo, Italy;
Sao Paolo, Brazil; Brisbane, Australia and
most recently in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
As the Scientific Program Chair, I am
happy to report that at the Dubrovnik meeting we had over 400 registered participants from all over the world. The four-day
program was packed with postgraduate
courses, live telesurgeries, eloquent and persuasive yet heated debates, and many lectures. The spirit of AAGL was fully expressed
in the warm camaraderie, as well as professional exchanges in one of the most beautiful settings – the city of Dubrovnik. Our
Croatian hosts did an excellent job in making
everyone feel welcome – a special letter
from Dr. Miroslav Kopjar, Congress Chair
and President of the Croatian Endoscopic
Society, is included below.
Finally, I strongly encourage you to plan
to attend AAGL’s 5th International Meeting
in Istanbul, Turkey in April 2011. More information about this meeting will follow soon.
Resad Paya Pasic, M.D., Ph.D. serves on the AAGL
Board as the Immediate Past-President and is
Professor and Director of the Section of Operative
Gynecologic Endoscopy at the University of Louisville
School of Medicine in Louisville, Kentucky.
Dear colleagues and
friends,
It was an honor for me
to be the President of
AAGL’s 4th International
Congress on Minimally
Dr. Kopjar
Invasive Gynecology
and 3rd Croatian Congress on Minimally
Invasive Gynecological Surgery in June
2010. After years of hard work, the local
Scientific Committee and I feel rewarded
receiving many messages from different participants praising the scientific content, as
well as the venue and social programs of our
Congress. All contributions – from speakers,
organizers, sponsors and participants – were
fundamental in achieving the outstanding
success of this congress. We feel confident
that the event met everybody’s expectations
and hope that you share our enthusiasm for
the results.
We had over 400 participants coming from
35 countries and 5 continents. We received
an impressive number of abstracts, and the
Scientific Committee did an excellent job
reviewing and selecting the best of them.
This Congress took place in the historical
city of Dubrovnik, one of the most beautiful
cites in the Mediterranean, and part of the
UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
I wish to thank you very much for
believing in us and for participating in
our congress. I hope to see you all at
another congress or perhaps on holiday
in Dubrovnik. It was a privilege to have
you here and, on behalf of the entire
Congress Organizing Committee,
I wish you much success in your work.
Miroslav Kopjar M.D., Ph.D. is Associate Professor
at the University of Zagreb, Croatia.
New Products
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Study and a list of clinical sites in the US and Latin America may be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov, study number
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16
JUL - SEPT 2010
Poster Will Have a New Meaning at the 39th AAGL Congress
no more tubes • no more paper • the same valuable information in an interactive format
A
t this year’s Annual Meeting in Las
Vegas all posters will display on flat
screen monitors. Each monitor will have
a dedicated lap top from which the
viewer can browse the 14 categories of
posters and select the ones they want to
view on 42” plasma screens.
The authors will be able to create their
virtual poster using a PowerPoint format
supplied by the AAGL. It will even allow
a short video clip! The advantages to
this new virtual poster are authors will
not have to carry their abstract tubes
with them to the meeting; there will be
no expense in creating the poster; and
the author will always have electronic
access to their AAGL poster for use at
other meetings.
AAGL 5th INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON
MINIMALLY INVASIVE GYNECOLOGY
in conjunction with
TURKISH SOCIET Y OF
GYNECOLOGICAL ENDOSCOPY (TSGE)
IV. ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING
LET’S SCOPE WHERE THE CONTINENTS MEET!
April 6 -10, 2011 - Swissôtel the Bosphorus, Istanbul, TURKEY
www.tsge2011.org
NewsScope
Welcome New Members
June 12, 2010 - September 16, 2010
Alexandre Tadeu Abdalla, M.D.
Rony Tanios Abdallah, M.D
Ifrah Abdillahi Abdi, M.D.
Uchenna C. Acholonu, Jr., M.D.
Faris K. Ahmad, M.D.
Grewal Ajanamjot (Jan), M.D.
Asia Al shaikh, M.D.
Iman Mohammad Alamoudi, M.D.
Rabia Ali, M.D.
Sheikha Sultan Aljabri, FRCS
Karen Allsup, M.D.
Zain A. Al-Safi, M.D.
Antonio Alves, M.D.
Fataneh Amidi, M.D.
Stacy Renee Ammerman, D.O.
Sarah Amo, M.D.
Kwame Okyere Amponsah, M.D.
Lilian Aragao, M.D.
Patxi Ariztoy, M.D.
Rohit Arora, M.D.
Albert Asante, M.D.
Cheryl D. Ashe
Eric Ashkin, M.D.
Pandelis Athanasias, M.D.
Sarah Aultman, M.D.
Thomas Richard Aust, M.D.
Karam Babik, M.D.
Stephen J. Bacak, D.O., MPH
Melissa M. Baer, M.D.
Madhu Bagaria
Amelia P. Bailey, M.D.
Lakshmi Bangalore Vatsan Sri, M.D.
Raymond Barbour, M.D.
Katie Barker, M.D.
Christopher Barton, M.D.
James Patrick Beirne, M.D.
Jimmy Belotte, M.D.
Eliza A. Bennett, M.D.
Raina Best, M.D.
Kivanc Bilici, M.D.
Julianne Rebecca Biroschak, M.D.
Marie K. Blossom, M.D.
Harry Wade Boatwright, M.D.
Edgar William Boggs, M.D.
Elizabeth Wingard Boggs, M.D.
James Thomas Bohmer, M.D.,
Cornelia Bormann, M.D.
Ananda Boyer, M.D.
Jill Joanne Boysen, DO
Riva Branch, M.D.
Ryan Brannon, M.D.
Rachel Michele Brightwell, M.D.
Andrea Jo Brooks, M.D.
Courtney Riley Brooks, M.D.
Elizabeth Rouene Brown, M.D.
Jessica Buck, M.D.
Elizabeth Anne Buescher, M.D.
Sharon Byun, M.D.
Vicenzo Cacciapuoti, M.D.
Eray Caliskan, M.D.
Nicholas V. Campanella, M.D.
Laurie Campbell, R.N.
Neil Campbell, M.D.
Ilona Marie Carlos, M.D.
Jennifer R. Case, M.D.
Rachel Casey , M.D.
Leonardo Nicholas Catalano, M.D.
Michelle Catenacci, M.D.
Pablo Cespedes, M.D.
Tansel Cetinkaya, M.D.
Giselle Terry-Ann Chandler, M.D.
Cherry Yin-Yi Chang, M.D.
Jocelyn Chapman, M.D.
Antonio Chavez, D.O.
Marisa Chavez, M.D.
Hsi-Pin Chen, M.D.
Victor Chen
Youguo Chen, M.D.
Nicholas Chill
Lesley Chin-Ormsby, BSc, MBBS
Sahar Chitgar, M.D.
Melindy Ciulla, M.D.
Theresa Conyac, M.D.
Christine F. Cooper, M.D.
Neil J Correia, M.D.
Elaine F. Craig, M.D.
Stephanie Cross MD
Kelly Frances Cummings, M.D.
Stephanie B. Cummings, M.D.
Yi Dai, M.D.
Fabrizio Damiani, M.D.
Emad Darwish, M.D.
Donato Dellino, M.D.
Diana D. DeVall, M.D.
Heather Diamond, M.D.
Claudio Diaz-Socarras, M.D.
Erbil Dogan, M.D.
Christina E. Dolhaniuk, M.D.
Omar Felipe Duenas, M.D.
Dennise Claudette Durkee, M.D.
Wendy M. Dwyer Albano, M.D.
Kellie Wilson Edwards, M.D.
Khaled A. El Setohy, M.D.
Margarett Conklin Ellison, M.D.
David Engle, M.D.
Ibrahim Esinler, M.D.
Eduardo Estrella, M.D.
Rahmouna Leila Farez, M.D.
Muhammad Fatum, M.D.
Shantal Feltham
Kimberly Ferrante, M.D.
Loren Fickies, M.D.
Hilaire W. Fisher, M.D.
Rocco Jason Florio
Erika Danielle Fowler, M.D.
Marengo Francesca, M.D.
Barbara Frank, M.D.
Clarissa Frasca, M.D.
Melissa Kristen Frey, M.D.
Emily Yasuko Fukuchi, M.D., MPH
Naoto Furukawa, M.D.
Elizabeth Gagliardi, M.D.
Ran Gao, M.D.
Kristen Garcia, M.D., MS
Hector R. Garcia Zamarripa, M.D.
Sheila V. Garnica, M.D.
Neda Ghaffari, M.D.
Sarah E. Gill, M.D.
Nayera R.A. Giurguis, M.D.
Sarah J. Glaze, M.D.
Alexandra Goldman, M.D.
Natalya Goltyapina, D.O.
Josenice Gomes, M.D.
Sandra Marcela Gomez Ramos, M.D.
Berenice Anita Goorah, M.D.
Luis Gordillo, M.D.
Kristine Graettinger, M.D.
Beate Gray, M.D.
Jennifer D. Green, M.D.
Irene Grias, D.O.
Tjalina Hamerlynck, M.D.
Yubin Han, M.D.
Leslie Haney, M.D.
Monica Hannon, M.D.
Namiko Hashimoto, M.D., Ph.D.
Lynne Haygood-Kane, D.O.
John Dawson Haynes, M.D.
Nayel Ahmed Helmy, M.D.
Ariel Holley, M.D.
Alexander Hrynewych, M.D.
Ziad R. Hubayter, M.D., MPH, MBA
Angeline Hubbard
Braidi Rose Huecker, M.D.
K. Joseph Hurt, M.D., Ph.D.
Jana D. Illston, M.D.
Heesun Im, M.D.
Rotimi A.K. Jaiyesimi, M.D.
Randa Jaafar Jalloul, M.D.
Sharon Jamie, M.D.
Julienne Janse, M.D.
Reginald A. Jenkins, M.D.
Jani R. Jensen, M.D.
Cristian Jesam, M.D.
Mei Ji, M.D.
Hangmei Jin, M.D.
Darlyne Ann Johnson, M.D.
Lisa Johnston, M.D.
Howard Jones, M.D.
Hema Jonnalagadda, M.D.
Hyun-jae Jung, M.D.
Cruz W. Justin, M.D.
Woo Dae Kang, M.D.
Mustafa Kara, M.D.
Fethiye Sinem Karipcin, M.D.
Deborah Karp, M.D.
William H. Katz, M.D.
Mary Kenney, R.N.
Tarek Khalife, M.D.
Sepideh Khalilian, M.D.
Nidhi Khosla, M.D.
Kareem H. Khozaim, M.D.
Iwaho Kikuchi, M.D.
Esra Bulgan Kilicdag, M.D.
Seok- Mo Kim, M.D.
Woo Young Kim, M.D.
Woo-Chul Kim, M.D.
Jason Anthony Knight, M.D.
George D. Kofinas, M.D.
Swapna Kollikonda, M.D.
Surii Ashok Kommareddi, M.D.
Sahel Kooroshnia, M.D.
Pamela Kothari, M.D.
Barbara Kotnyek, M.D.
Paraskevas Kotsonis, M.D.
Nathan Kow, M.D.
Colleen M. Krajewski, M.D.
Natalie L.D. Kroll, D.O.
Jenna Suzanne Kubat, M.D.
William M.A. Kuteesa, MBBS
Huseyin Tayfun Kutlu, M.D.
Hyeeun Eun Kwon, M.D.
Duanduan La, M.D.
Phong Lai, D.O.
Darren Lazare
Chang Jae Lee, M.D.
Matthew Lee, M.D.
San Hui Lee, M.D.
Seungho Lee, M.D.
Monica Lee-Griffith, M.D.
Erin Elizabeth Lehman, M.D.
Li Lei, M.D.
Michelle M. Lentell, M.D.
Belinda Leung, M.D.
Tressa I. Levenson, M.D.
Andrew William Li, M.D.
Jian Li , M.D.
Li Li, M.D.
Lijun Li, M.D.
Peiling Li, M.D.
Xiaoyan Li, M.D.
Alina Libster, M.D.
Li Lin, M.D.
Kaijiang Liu, M.D.
Yue Liu, M.D.
Ryan Livengood, M.D.
Jesus Rodolfo Lizardo, M.D.
Allison Loeffler, M.D.
Brenda J. Lofton, M.D.
Quinisha Kayon Logan, M.D.
Ricardo Luba, M.D
Deirdre Lum, M.D.
Gang Ma, M.D.
Mendy Mack, M.D.
Gerard Mage, M.D.
Brianne Marie Mahoney, M.D.
Jillian Shane Main, M.D.
Ioannis Malandrenis, M.D.
Flavio Malcher
Peta Maley, M.D.
Jeffrey Bryan Manley, M.D., MBA
Amr Adel Mansy, M.D.
Danielle Marshall
Freya Elena Marshall, M.D.
Maria Jose Martinez-Serrano, M.D.
Maria A. Martinez-Zamora, M.D.
Kristen A. Matteson, M.D.
Fleming Mattox
Leanne McCarthy, M.D.
Laura J. McClellan, M.D.
Joseph Bennett McGehee, M.D.
Meghan McGowan, M.D.
Luke McGuinn, M.D.
Brandi Sha McLeod, M.D.
Gabriel Medrano, M.D.
Tapan A. Mehta, M.D.
Ruth Lily Meird, M.D.
Dilaury Mejia, M.D.
Emad Mounir Mikhail, M.D.
Ryan D Miller, D.O.
Gretchen K. Mitchell, M.D.
(Continued on page 19)
18
JUL - SEPT 2010
NewsScope
Welcome New Members (Continued from Page 18)
Yuichiro Miyamoto, M.D.
Gradie Moore, M.D.
David Joseph Morgan, M.D.
Dorcas C. Morgan, M.D., FACOG
Anwar Moria, M.D.
Travis John Morrell, M.D.
Jody Morris
Pascal Mourtialon, M.D.
Tyler Muffly, M.D.
Seong Taek Mun, M.D.
Michelle W. Murphy, M.D.
Robert Wendell Naumann, M.D.
Faride Navari, M.D.
Bih Tabah Ndofor, M.D.
Vicki Sue-Mei Ng, M.D.
Ada N. Njoku-Animashaun, M.D.
Jose Nores, M.D.
Susan Oakley, M.D.
Gbolahan Oladele Obajimi, M.D.,
FWACS
Juno Obedin-Maliver, M.D., MPH
Elizabeth E. Ocampo, M.D.
Lawrence Neil Odom, M.D.
Babatunde N. Ogunkinle, M.D., FWACS
Eunkyeong Oh, M.D.
Catriona Marie O’Kane, M.D.
Blake Carter Osmundsen, M.D., MCR
Hirofumi Otsuka, M.D.
Svetlana Oussoltseva
Aral Ozbal, M.D.
Edmond Pack, M.D.
Jiheum Paek, M.D.
Michele Y. Pangilinan, M.D.
Thomas Papathemelis, M.D.
Amy Elizabeth Paris, M.D.
Hwang Shin Park, M.D.
Jung Woo Park, M.D.
Sang Min Park M.D.
Shahina Parveen, M.D.
Sauhang Baldev Patel, M.D.
Abraham Peedicayil, M.D.
Raquel Pelayo, M.D.
Lynell Aurora Perez-Colon, M.D.
Jed Perkerewicz, M.D.
Lindsay Perkins, M.D.
Donald Clifton Phillibert, Jr., M.D.
Jennifer T. Phung, M.D.
Veronica Maria Pimentel, M.D.
Antara Pothuloori, M.D.
Soma Pradhan, M.D.
Christian Preti, M.D.
Jameca Rene Price, M.D.
Sarah Pringle, CNP
Ruxandra Radu-Radulescu, M.D.
Mitra Rafati, M.D.
Jessica Sue Rasmussen, M.D.
Clare J.M. Reade, M.D.
Chanda L. Reese, M.D.
Ilana Ressler, M.D.
Courtney Paige Rhoades, DO, MBA
Giovanni Riano, M.D.
Hampton B. Richards, M.D.
Scott Robert Riddell, M.D.
Kristin Ann Riley, M.D.
Nicole Rink, M.D.
Helen Jane Robson, M.D., FRCSC
Zoe Rodriguez, M.D.
Maricela Rodriguez-Gutierrez, M.D.
Hyun Jin Roh, M.D.
Juan Carlos Ruiz, Jr., M.D.
Azra Sadikovic, M.D.
Raj (Prithwiraj) Saha, M.D.
Charbel Georges Salamon, M.D.
Karen A. Salazar Valdes, M.D.
Sheri-Lee Samson, M.D.
Geam Karlo Assis Santana, M.D.
Meera Saraswathinair, M.D.
Kirsten Sasaki, M.D.
Fahimeh Sasan, D.O.
Kadir Savan, M.D.
Gamal H. Sayed, M.D.
Anibal Scarella, M.D.
Lars Schouenborg, M.D.
Valerie Schulte, D.O.
Monica Sehgal, M.D.
Jana L. Seitz, M.D.
John B. Seradj, M.D.
Chirag A. Shah, M.D., MPH
Alexander Shapiro, M.D.
Gregory S. Shelton, M.D.
Airong Shen, M.D.
Sheila Sheth, M.D.
Yulin Shi, M.D.
Oscar C. Shimange, M.D.
Wilson Eustaquio Silva Junior, M.D.
Andre Luiz Silveira, M.D.
Abdulrahman Khalil Sinno, M.D.
Eloise Skelton, M.D.
Aimee L. Smith, M.D.
Sarah Smith, M.D.
Jennifer Sock, M.D.
Kenan Sofuoglu, M.D.
Serena Solfrini, M.D.
Min Jong Song, M.D.
Yong Jung Song, M.S.
Seo Sonyoung, M.D.
Michael Craig Sott, M.D.
Anita J. Spirek, M.D.
Laura Sproat, M.D.
Divya Sridharan, M.D.
David Starks, M.D.
William Michael Stevens, M.D.
David Stewart, M.D.
Kimberly Stockmaster, M.D.
Dale Stovall, M.D.
Margaret Elena Sullivan, M.D.
Zhihua Sun, M.D.
Figen Sungar, M.D.
Ajay Swaminathan, M.D.
Carolyn Weaver Swenson, M.D.
Shawna Swinigan, PA-C
Alyssa Ta, M.D.
Shiqiao Tan, M.D.
Cindy Tang, M.D.
Alison Tate, M.D.
Kristal Taylor, M.D.
Nickoloz Tchankoshvili, M.D.
Jennifer Thome, M.D.
Levent Toksoz, M.D.
Mary Catherine Tolcher, M.D.
Chelsey Rose Topping, M.D.
Tarek Toubia, M.D.
Pantelis Trompoukis, M.D.
Yen Ngoc Truong, M.D., MPH
Hsiao-Wen Tsai, M.D.
Elena Tunitsky-Bitton, M.D.
Emily Hope Turney, M.D.
Judy R. Ungerleider, M.D.
Juan Fernando Usta Chica, M.D.
Zaida Vargas, M.D.
Amanda Burton Vaughan, D.O.
Silvania C. Vieira Archangelo, M.D.
Michelle Wallenstein, M.D.
Anne Wang, M.D.
Haibo Wang, M.D.
Shijun Wang, M.D.
Wuliang Wang, M.D.
Zhiwen Wang, M.D.
Meredith M. Warden, M.D., MPH
Blair Washington, M.D., MHA
Tiffany Weathers, M.D.
Bing Wei, M.D.
Helene Simone Weibel, M.D.
Laura Weins, M.D.
Danica Ashley Wilking, M.D.
Jennifer Willette, M.D.
Makeba Williams, M.D.
Lauren Michaud Winn, M.D.
Budi Wiweko, M.D.
HaRyun Won, M.D.
Anya E. Wong, R.N.
Ashley Woodward, M.D.
Pei-Ju Emily Wu, M.D.
Guangwu Xiong, M.D.
Azadah Yacoub, M.D.
Yuanqing Yao, M.D.
Sujata Yavagal, M.D.
Tajnoos Yazdany, M.D.
Jung In Yeom, M.D.
Grace Yeung, M.D., HBSc.
Jongsook Yoon, M.D.
Carey Michele York-Best, M.D.
Ying Yue, M.D.
Shawn Yunayev, M.D.
Fikry Milad Ywakim, M.D.
Martino Maria Zacche, M.D.
Jesse L. Zarmon
Xia Zhao, M.D.
Sen Zhong, M.D.
Lan Zhu, M.D.
Paula Zozzaro Smith, D.O.
The AAGL’s Role in Education (Continued from Page 14)
this program has grown its graduates are
now populating teaching centers and thus
training more gynecologists in minimally
invasive approaches to surgery.
In addition to the Fellowship, the AAGL’s
Annual Meeting and its journal, The Journal
of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, now contain evidence-based reviews and randomized studies which have shown the benefits
and limitations of many new procedures.
But as many of our members know it has
been an uphill climb to see the teaching of
minimally invasive procedures brought into
the main stream of gynecological training.
But this is changing.
The Liaison Committee in Obstetrics
and Gynecology (LCOG) at its September
meeting voted to include the AAGL as a
member. The LCOG is an advisory body to
the leadership of the Ob-Gyn discipline. As
an umbrella organization its membership
represents major organizations within the
Ob-Gyn community and three government
agencies.
The AAGL requested that we be considered for membership in the LCOG and
we are gratified that they have agreed to
include us along with the other leaders in
our specialty.
Franklin D. Loffer, M.D. is the Executive Vice President/
Medical Director of the AAGL
JUL - SEPT 2010
19
NewsScope
PERIODICALS
6757 Katella Avenue
Cypress, California 90630-5105
Tel 714.503.6200 Fax 714.503.6201
E-mail [email protected] • Web site www.aagl.org
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39th AAGL
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November 8-12, 2010
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Education Calendar
The following educational meetings are sponsored by, in affiliation with, or endorsed by the AAGL.
October 22-24, 2010
International Pelvic Pain Society
18th Annual Scientific Meeting on
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Scientific Program Chair: Frank Tu
The Palmer House
Chicago, Illinois
January 21-24, 2011
7th Annual Optimizing
Minimally Access Gynecology
Scientific Program Chairs:
Viviane Connor and Stephen Zimberg
Ritz Carlton
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
March 12-13, 2011
20th Annual Comprehensive Workshop on Minimally
Invasive Gynecology for Residents & Fellows
Scientific Program Chair: Resad P. Pasic
Gaylord Texan Resort • Dallas, Texas
May 20-21, 2011
13th Annual Advanced Workshop on
Gynecologic Laparoscopic Anatomy & Surgery
on Unembalmed Cadavers
Scientific Program Chair: Resad P. Pasic
University of Louisville • Louisville, Kentucky
April 6-10, 2011
5th AAGL International Congress on Minimally
Invasive Gynecology in partnership with the Turkish
Society of Gynecological Endoscopy
Scientific Program Chair: Fatih Sendag
Istanbul, Turkey
December 7-9, 2011
6th AAGL International Meeting
in partnership with the Japan Society of
Gynecologic and Obstetric Endoscopy and Minimally
Invasive Therapy and in association with the
12th APAGE Annual Scientific Meeting
Scientific Program Chair: Mitsuru Shiota
Osaka, Japan
April 25-28, 2012
7th AAGL International Congress on Minimally
Invasive Gynecology in partnership with the
Argentine Society of Laparoscopic Surgery (SACiL)
Scientific Program Chair: Rafael Valle
Buenos Aires, Argentina
AAGL Annual Meetings
November 8-12, 2010
39th AAGL Global Congress of
Minimally Invasive Gynecology
Scientific Program Chair: Linda D. Bradley
Caesars Palace • Las Vegas, Nevada
November 6-10, 2011
40th AAGL Global Congress of
Minimally Invasive Gynecology
Scientific Program Chair: Keith B. Isaacson
The Westin Diplomat • Hollywood, Florida
November 10-14, 2013
42nd AAGL Global Congress of
Minimally Invasive Gynecology
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on the Potomoc
National Harbor, Maryland
November 5-9, 2012
41st AAGL Global Congress of
Minimally Invasive Gynecology
Caesars Palace • Las Vegas, Nevada