COURSE DESCRIPTIONAbdominal wall defects, whether congenital or acquired, traumatic or iatrogenic, are one of the most common surgical challenges in the world. Very little consensus currently exists on the appropriate roles and indications for primary closure vs. mesh closure vs. muscle/fascia release and advancement techniques and subsequent outcomes.

The recurrence rates for abdominal wall defect repairs remain high, and potential complications can be catastrophic, leading to far more complex defects than on original presentation. This meeting will be the most comprehensive course on abdominal wall reconstruction to date covering all aspects of the general principles of abdominal wall reconstruction, including anatomy, physiology, innervation of the abdominal wall, risk stratification, and recognizing early risk for failure. All options for abdominal wall reconstruction will be discussed in detail including primary vs. open repair, with and without inert vs. synthetic biomaterials, component separation, role of abdominoplasty, and associated indications, contraindications and complications of each.

The rapidly expanding industry of the development of synthetic biomaterials with potential for revascularization will be discussed in detail with each currently available biomaterial weighed against its pros and cons and potential role in abdominal wall reconstruction. Soft tissue infections on the abdominal wall as a risk for abdominal wall defect and as a potential complication of abdominal wall reconstruction will be reviewed in detail including both surgical and medical management. Lastly, all aspects of complex abdominal wall defects, including congenital neonatal defects, traumatic abdominal wall defects, and the management of entercutaneous fistulas with wound management will be discussed in detail.

This comprehensive four day course will cover all aspects of abdominal wall reconstruction for general, plastic, trauma, and pediatric surgeons with an added interest for wound care specialists and enteral stoma nurses.

** Please note any workshops or break out sessions not attracting CME credit out of the main arena will not be covered by PORTAL Education **

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES Following this activity, participants should be able to:

* Understand the general principles of abdominal wall reconstruction.

* Recognize and understand the indications, techniques and error prevention in abdominal wall hernia repair.

* Recognize the advantages and disadvantages of biomaterials vs. inert synthetic materials for abdominal wall reconstruction.

* Recognize the development of soft tissue infections of the abdominal wall as the cause of abdominal wall defects and as a complication of abdominal wall reconstruction.

* Understand the principles of closure of complex abdominal wall defects.

* Commit to integrate into their practices the knowledge obtained through the didactic lectures

ACCREDITATION / CONTINUING EDUCATION POINTSThe Georgetown University Hospital is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Georgetown University Hospital designates this educational activity for a maximum of 18 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Disclosure of Financial Relationships with Any Commercial Interest As a sponsor accredited by the ACCME, it is the policy of Georgetown University Hospital to require that everyone who is in the position to control the content of an educational activity disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest prior to the educational activity.

The ACCME considers relationship of the person involved in the CME activity to include financial relationship of a spouse or partner. Faculty and planners who refuse to disclose relevant financial relationships will be disqualified from participating in the CME activity. For an individual with no relevant financial relationship(s), the participant must be informed that no conflicts of interest or financial relationship(s) exist. Georgetown University Hospital Department of Nursing Education is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Maryland Nurses Association, an accredited provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on accreditation. Nurses will be awarded a maximum of 18 contact hours for successfully completing the program.

AWR 2012 has been approved by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons CPD Program. Fellows who participate can claim one point per hour (maximum 21 points) in Category 4:Maintenance of Clinical Knowledge and Skills towards 2012 CPD Points.

TARGET AUDIENCEThis program has been planned, designed, and is intended for ✲ General ✲ Plastic ✲ Trauma and ✲ Pediatric Surgeons ✲ Wound Care Specialists ✲ WOCN’s