CME Medical Conferences

Suturing, Advanced

A Seminar for Medical Suture Training
CME Conference Description:

**Please Note that starting in 2011, the title of this course will be re-named as, "Chronic Wound Care: Advanced Suturing Techniques." The content of the course will not change.

This CME medical conference is designed to help develop insight and ''hands-on'' skills (dealing with flaps and plasties) to achieve the very best attainable wound closure results for patients. The approach is to challenge and to encourage the attendees to expand their expertise in the closure of more difficult wounds and large tissue excisions.

Although basic wound closure will be reviewed to assure that everyone has a similar platform to build from in the rest of the course, it is assumed that attendees will have basic knowledge and experience in suturing. Advanced topics will include tendon repair, “plasties” and advancement flaps, correction of common problems like dog ears, and skin grafting. Emergency physicians, General Surgeons, Family Physicians, Internists, Nurse Practicioners, Physician Assistants and other clinicians will find this skill training course an essential to develop their abilities to a higher level. 

A list of required supplies is shown below. This list will be provided to you again upon course registration. Note: This is not an option. You must bring these supplies with you to the CME medical conference.

Supplies Required By Attendee
Please bring a MINIMUM of the following-
15 packets 4-0 monofilament suture, reverse cutting needle, larger than PS-2 needle size if possible
15 packets each of 5-0 and 6-0 monofilament suture, reverse cutting needle, PS-2 or PS-3 needle size
5 packets of 5-0 or 6-0 catgut or Vicryl suture, reverse cutting needle, PS-2 or PS-3 needle size
1 5'' or 6'' Metzenbaum scissors
1 each of suture, straight iris and curved iris scissors
1 4'' smooth or Russian tissue forceps
2 Mosquito hemostats
1 4'' or 5'' suture forceps
1 5'' hemostats
2 skin retractors or rakes

Consider registering for the Dermatologic Procedures course.

This activity has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 15 Prescribed credits by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
The Texas Academy of Family Physicians designates this educational activity for a maximum of 15 AMA PRA Category 1 credits TM.
Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Please click here to learn more about our accreditation.

CME Conference Credits: 15
CME Conference Objectives
  • Understand the patient’s expectations before the procedure and develop an appropriate informed consent process.
  • Be able to review the pertinent factors to formulate and choose a plan for excision and closure before the procedure is undertaken.
  • Understand the basic concepts in wound care including: anatomy of the skin, site preparation, wound healing principles, and appropriate handling of the skin.
  • Be able to select the proper local anesthetics and appropriate suture for closure.
  • Using animal models, practice basic and intermediate tendon repair, skin grafting, and advanced techniques including plasties, advancement flaps, dog ear repairs, etc.
  • Review an appropriate protocol for handling complications including dehisced wounds.
  • Assist the emergency department physician, skin surgeon, family physician and general internist with the skill sets and problem solving repertoire to deal with almost all skin surgical dilemmas – traumatic and elective.
    • CME Conference Fee: $1175


      Location Dates Discounted Fee
    Tremont Plaza Hotel
    Baltimore, MD
    Instructor(s): Dennis LaRavia    		10/16/2010 – 10/17/2010By Sep 16 2010 then $1075.00


    You may also register by phone, fax or mail

    CME Conference Agenda

    Breakfast and Registration
    7:30am – 8:00am daily

    There will also be a daily15 minute mid-morning and a 15 minute mid-afternoon break.

    Day One
    8:00am-Noon
    Overview and goals
    Patient education, Informed consent, Anatomy and wound healing, Preparation of office and emergency department , Blocks
    Suture/needle selection, Lines of Langerhans, Skin glue and skin staplers
    Interrupted, continuous, vertical mattress and horizontal mattress stitches; corner suture

    Noon-1:00pm
    Lunch

    1:00-5:00pm
    Advanced closures
    Deep inverted and subcuticular stitches; undermining, leveling, corner sutures
    Keloid injections; intralesional injections; Z-plasty; dog ear correction
    Photographic review of typical cases

    Day Two
    8:00am-Noon
    Single advancement flaps; double advancement flaps
    Rotation advancement flaps; M-plasty
    Tendon repairs and skin grafts

    Noon-1:00pm
    Lunch

    1:00-5:00pm
    Triple-U plasty; V to Y platy; rhomboid flap; conscious sedation
    Post-operative care and complications
    Photographic review
    Coding and billing
    Questions and answers

    CME Conference Reviews

    "Excellent course and phenomenal instructor.  There is no other course in existence like this one.  I've had several years of surgical residency and still learned a great deal." - Anonymous, September 2009

    "I have enjoyed this course more than any course I have attended since graduation of residency. This course should be taken during medical school and residency. It is a missing essential skill in our training. I feel that this course could be given at every medical school and residency training program in the WORLD. There are essential life saving skills and some exective plastic surgery skills. The course was the best surprise I have found in medicine. I hope NPI realizes what value they have with Dr. LaRavia." - Anonymous, September 2009

    "Best class I've ever taken. I've been looking to obtain these skills for more than 9 years. Finally a class with an excellent teacher/student ration with expertise above all. - Anonymous, September 2009

    "This is an invaluable course - so important for NP's and PA's because we don’t get this in med school." - Anonymous, September 2009

    "The advanced suturing course was a great experience. I learned procedures and techniques that are useful in my type of practice. Some of the things learned here were not taught in Residency/Medical school. I highly recommend this course." - Anonymous, September 2009