16th Annual Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (AWR) Conference

16th Annual Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (AWR) Conference is organized by MedStar Health, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and will be held from Jun 13 - 14, 2025 at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, Mc Lean, Virginia, United States of America.

Description:
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s 16th Annual Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (AWR) Conference is a comprehensive two-day symposium that provides an in-depth understanding of the emerging specialty of AWR and hernia surgery. The purpose of this highly interactive meeting is to offer an evidence-based discussion on clinical aspects of AWR through didactic lectures with video education, case presentations, and panel discussions to address the complexities of hernia surgery.

Currently, there are approximately 600,000 ventral hernia repairs performed annually in the United States and the patient population continues to be increasingly complex with significant co-morbidities. Thus, there is a significant complication rate including surgical site morbidity, readmission, and recurrence. The course is comprised of internationally renowned faculty that are a diverse group of experts chosen from the disciplines of general and plastic surgery, based upon their ongoing contributions to the field of abdominal wall reconstruction. The individual sessions will focus on patient selection and optimization, selection of surgical approach and reinforcement material, technical aspects of open and robotic surgery, and management of complications. The conference is designed to give attendees a broad knowledge of abdominal core health required to have a successful AWR practice.

Objectives
After completing this activity, the participant will be able to:

• Identify why preoperative preparation is necessary for optimizing patient outcomes.
• Summarize the importance of sub-specialty training to be a successful hernia surgeon.
• Identify the roles and responsibilities of members of the healthcare team involved in the collaborative care of patients with hernias.
• Recognize how to interpret peer reviewed literature.
• Identify the indications for biologic, synthetic, bioabsorbable mesh.
• Utilize patient optimization to reduce the incidence of surgical site occurrences.
• Recognize the value of botulinum toxin A in large hernia defects.
• Utilize advanced minimally invasive techniques for optimal patient outcomes.
• Recognize the value of plastic surgery techniques for advanced abdominal wall reconstruction.
• Manage entero-cutaneous fistulas in the setting of a hernia.
• Recognize the nuisances of AWR in specific patient cohorts (e.g. women of childbearing age)
• Implement appropriate treatment options for infected abdominal wall mesh.
• Recognize the optimal management of skin and soft tissue during hernia repair.
• Utilize advanced abdominal wall reconstruction techniques to improve patient outcomes.
• Evaluate and manage the common complications after component separation procedure.
• Recognize how to interpret relevant radiology studies when evaluating hernia patients.
• Recognize the importance of quality of life metrics when defining metrics of success for hernia patient.
• Recognize abdominal wall anatomy.
• Integrate a team-based approach in the care of patients with hernias.