Minimally Invasive Approaches to the Management of Achalasia and Other Benign Esophageal Diseases

UPMC Center for Advanced Robotic Training (CART) Facility
The University Club, Ballroom B
Charles G. Watson Surgical Education Center
Pittsburgh, PA

Intent and Objectives

This three-day conference aims to expand clinical knowledge regarding treatment of benign esophageal diseases, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), achalasia, paraesophageal hernia, Zenker’s Diverticulum, and Barrett’s espophagus. Furthermore, this course strives to improve technical knowledge and skill in surgical treatment of benign esophageal disease, focusing on surgical interventions such as:

• Nissen fundoplication
• Heller myotomy
• Minimally invasive repair of paraesophageal hernias
• LINX implantation
• Per oral endoscopic myotomy
• Re-operative surgery

These educational goals are met through interactive didactic sessions featuring world-renowned experts, broadcast of live surgery, and a porcine surgical simulation lab allowing for hands-on practice with various operations as well as highlighting emerging technology.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for general and thoracic surgery attendings and trainees, gastroenterologists, minimally invasive team members (MD, DO, RN, PA, NP), allied health professionals, and any other interested medical healthcare professionals and researchers.

Course Directors

James D. Luketich, MD, FACS

Inderpal Sarkaria, MD, FACS
Vice Chairman, Clinical Affairs
Co-Director, Esophageal and Lung Surgery Institute
Director, Thoracic Robotics

Ryan M. Levy, MD
Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Chief, Thoracic Surgery, UPMC Passavant

Omar Awais, DO
Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Chief, Thoracic Surgery, UPMC Mercy

Rajeev Dhupar, MD, MBA
Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Chief, Thoracic Surgery, VAMC of Pittsburgh

Lara Schaheen, MD
Resident Course Director
Integrated Six-Year Residency Program

Visiting Faculty

Jeffrey M. Marks, MD, FACS, FASGE
Professor of Surgery
Jeffrey L. Ponsky Professorship in Surgical Education
Director, Surgical Endoscopy
Program Director, Case Western/
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Cleveland, OH

Sumeet Mittal, MD
Surgical Director, Esophageal and Foregut Program
Norton Thoracic Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center
Phoenix, AZ

Harmik J. Soukiasian, MD
Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery
Associate Director, Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Program
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Presented by:

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences

Hotel Information

Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center
100 Lytton Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-682-6200

To learn more about the event, please contact Angela Kinnunen at 412-648-6342 or kinnunenae@upmc.edu.