Tutor for modules one and two:

Professor Edward Hall MA VetMB PhD DECVIM-CA MRCVS

Ed Hall qualified from Cambridge University Veterinary School in 1979. Ed undertook postgraduate training in small animal internal medicine and gastroenterology medicine at the Universities of Pennsylvania and Liverpool. His clinical and research interests are in canine gastroenterology. In 1995 he moved to Bristol University Veterinary School, and in 2004 he was promoted to Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine.

Tutor for module three and four:

Mr Philip Lhermette BSc(Hons) CBiol MIBiol BVetMed MRCVS

Philip gained an Honours degree in animal Physiology from the University of Nottingham in 1977, followed by his BVetMed from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London in 1982. Having practised rigid and flexible endoscopy since 1995, Philip has extensive experience in endoscopy and endosurgery and has run a referral service since 2001. He has also pioneered laser surgery in veterinary medicine in the UK since 2001.

This innovative modular course has been designed to provide a comprehensive training programme in small animal endoscopic techniques. Endoscopy is now common place in human medicine and surgery but still remains an under-utilised diagnostic and surgical aid in many veterinary practices.

The objectives of the course are to cover the main aspects of both flexible and rigid endoscopy using a combination of short lectures, video presentations and hands-on wet-lab sessions using models and actual clinical cases.

The course speakers all have wide experience of endoscopy in practice and are experienced and enthusiastic teachers. 

Delegates will learn a variety of common investigations and procedures which can be carried out in practice almost daily, thus helping to develop a true profit centre for the practice.

Improve International is a leading provider of quality small-group practical training for veterinary surgeons in the UK and hundreds of vets each year attend an Improve practical course.

The modular format with courses running from 2.00pm until 8.00pm, allows delegates to fit this productive continuing education into a busy schedule.

Module One

An introduction to flexible endoscopy

• Principles of endoscope design and structure
• Endoscopic accessories
• Care of endoscopes
• Patient preparation
• Respiratory endoscopy - rhinoscopy and tracheo bronchoscopy
• Therapeutic procedures

Module Two

Gastrointestinal endoscopy

• Equipment required
• Oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy
• Lower GI endoscopy
• Endoscopic biopsies
• Percutaneous endoscopic gastrotomy (PEG) tube placement
• Foreign body retrieval

Module Three

An introduction to rigid endoscopy

• Instrumentation - choosing and caring for a rigid endoscope
• Rhinoscopy - foreign body removal, biopsy and treatment of tumours, aspergillosis etc.
• Cystoscopy - diagnosis of common bladder and urethral problems
• Laparoscopy - biopsy of liver, pancreas, kidney and bowel
• Thoracoscopy - biopsy of lung and mediastinal masses, pericardectomy

Module Four

An introduction to endoscopic surgery and examination of clinical cases

• Bitch spey
• Cryptorchid castration
• Endoscopy in exotic animals
• Use of lasers in conjunction with endoscopy
• Examination of clinical cases using flexible and rigid endoscopes
• Profitable endoscopy in practice