Overview

A high-intensity, hands-on course focused on definitive vascular techniques for traumatic arterial injury. Aimed at consultant surgeons and senior surgical residents who may need to restore perfusion in major trauma, humanitarian, austere, or conflict settings, the course combines case-based decision-making with supervised bench-top simulation to build confidence in shunting and vascular reconstruction.

Target Audience

• Consultant surgeons (any specialty) involved in trauma care.
• Senior surgical residents at ST7–ST8 (or equivalent) who are operating at day-1 consultant level and supported by their TPD/Training Programme

Learning Style

One-day, small-group course with maximum faculty-to-delegate ratio 1:4. The day comprises short interactive teaching on principles and decision-making, followed by rotating practical skills stations using desktop vascular models (with flow where applicable), and closes with structured formative assessment and feedback.

Aims & Objectives

To enhance the technical skills and intra-operative decision-making of consultant surgeons and senior surgical residents in the hospital management of vascular trauma, strengthening participants’ ability to deliver definitive vascular care across both resource-permissive and resource-limited environments.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Apply principles of definitive surgical management in vascular trauma, including the decision to restore perfusion, segmental control, vessel debridement, and establishment of inflow and outflow (including Fogarty balloon thrombectomy as appropriate).
2. Perform safe and effective placement of temporary vascular shunts, including preparation, insertion technique, team coordination, and troubleshooting common complications.
3. Select an appropriate repair strategy and perform primary vessel wall repair using non-absorbable monofilament sutures.
4. Select an appropriate repair strategy and perform insertion of a watertight synthetic interposition graft.
5. Explain the physiological consequences of limb ischaemia and ischaemia–reperfusion injury and outline practical mitigation strategies.
6. Describe pre-hospital interventions for vascular injury encountered along the chain of care and explain their implications for in-hospital operative planning.

Cancellation Policy

Please ensure you read our cancellation policy before booking. For our full terms and conditions regarding our cancellation policy, please view our Cancellation Policy which is available on the tab above.

Surgical Training Curriculum

The course supports technical and decision-making capabilities reflected across multiple ISCP surgical curricula, including:

• Management of major haemorrhage and vascular injury in trauma
• Principles and practice of vascular control, temporary shunting, and definitive reconstruction (primary repair and interposition grafting)
• Operative anastomotic technique and graft handling
• Peri-operative physiology relevant to limb ischaemia and ischaemia–reperfusion
• Human factors and teamworking in time-critical operative care (communication, coordination, situational awareness)

Course Director(s):

Mr. Tim Stansfield and Mr. Nigel Tai

Additional Information

This course uses bench-top simulation models. Delegates are encouraged to consider bringing loupes if routinely used. A certificate of attendance/CPD will be provided. The course is suitable for surgeons from any specialty who manage trauma and are operating at day-1 consultant level (or equivalent senior resident).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RCSEd’s course cancellation policy?

What happens if RCSEd cancels a course I am booked on?
On occasion, RCSEd may need to cancel a course, for example if we are affected by an event out with our control or if it is not financially viable for us to deliver the course. If we do need to cancel, we will let you know as soon as possible and provide you with a full refund of course fees paid.

RCSEd shall incur no further liability (eg. travel or accommodation costs). You may wish to consider taking out appropriate travel insurance for any non-refundable costs you may incur when arranging to attend the course.

What happens if I need to cancel my place on a course I am booked?
If you cancel your place more than four weeks before the event date, you will incur an administration fee of 10% (or £50, whichever is greater) of the total course fee. NB: For course fees £250 and under, the cancellation fee is £30)

If you cancel your place less than four weeks before the course date, once the course has started, or you do not notify us, the total course fee will be charged, and no refund will be given.

Please also note that you cannot transfer your place on a Course to someone else. This is because many of our courses have a waiting list, and we have an obligation to honour this.

Can I cancel a course booking online?
NO, cancellations must be made directly with the education team by email (education@rcsed.ac.uk).
Can I transfer to another date for the same course?
YES, you can transfer to another date by contacting the Education section directly (education@rcsed.ac.uk). Please note that you can transfer only once and transfers can only be made if more than 4 weeks prior to the start of the course, without incurring additional costs. Should you cancel again, no refund shall be given.

Should you have any further questions, the Education Team can be contacted on 0131 527 1600 or by email to education@rcsed.ac.uk.

How do I book a place on an RCSEd course?

You can book a place for all our courses by visiting the RCSEd website, and selecting the course you wish to book. Please note that you will need to register with the website in order to book.

For some regional and international courses you will need to book directly with the centre. Please check individual courses for details.

You can also contact the Education Section by phone to book (0131 527 1600).

What payment methods do RCSEd accept?

Visa and MasterCard are accepted on the RCSEd website.

All course bookings will receive a booking confirmation email: this email acts as your receipt.

Request an Invoice: If your course fees will be paid by a third party (eg trust, hospital, charitable fund) and they wish to be invoiced then they must provide us with an official purchase order. We are unable to process applications without this.

The purchase order should be submitted with the application form and can be emailed to education@rcsed.ac.uk. Please note that we can only invoice organisations and not individuals. Please check with your hospital or trust, as some may require you to pay yourself and then claim the money back.

Associated Documents

RCSEd_CourseCancellationPolicy.pdf (3)

Definitive Surgical Skills for Vascular Trauma

Key Facts