The EHS has developed a structured educational pathway in abdominal wall surgery, guiding surgeons from novice to expert through a series of online and cadaveric courses.
Expansion plans include a robotic surgery course and collaboration with national chapters to scale access and impact.
The EHS launched a structured pathway in 2021 to guide surgeons from novice to expert in abdominal wall surgery. Developed by EHS experts and supported by industry, it combines online learning with hands-on cadaveric training.
The pathway starts with a basic online course, followed by intermediate and advanced cadaveric courses in open, laparoscopic, and complex hernia techniques. Entry to advanced levels requires surgical experience, and a logbook of basic hernia procedures.
Courses include pre-course materials, tests, and expert-led dissection over two days. In 2025, the pathway will expand to include a robotic course, developed in collaboration with the robotic industry but with EHS retaining control of curriculum and content.  Â
To support long-term learning, EHS introduced AlfredSurgery, a digital platform offering detailed procedural guidance, checklists, assessments, and video-coaching.
By scaling training with national societies and promoting data-driven quality improvement, EHS aims to standardise AWS education and improve patient outcomes.
As the first step in the structured EHS Educational Pathway, this course lays the foundation for surgeons pursuing hernia specialisation.
The course represents the minimal essential requirements for any general surgeon to achieve by the end of residency training, regardless of their chosen subspecialty. It provides the critical skills and knowledge every general surgeon must possess.Â
The EHS Basic Course is designed specifically for early-career surgical residents (years 1–3) or surgeons with limited experience in hernia repair. It also caters to those who consider themselves beginners, regardless of their residency year or prior surgical training.
The EHS Intermediate Course is designed to equip general surgeons with the essential techniques required to provide safe and efficient care for hernia patients. This two-day course focuses on practical hands-on training.
The course provides instruction on abdominal wall surgery techniques using cadavers, including Shouldice, Lichtenstein, TEP/TAPP, preperitoneal umbilical prosthesis repair, abdominal closure, Rives Stoppa, and abdominal wall anatomy.
The EHS Intermediate Course is designed for surgical residents and general surgeons with basic experience in hernia repair who aim to enhance their skills in intermediate techniques. Ideal participants include those who:Â
The EHS Advanced Courses aim to provide expert training in complex hernia repair using open, minimally invasive, and robotic techniques. Through hands-on cadaveric dissection and structured teaching, participants will strengthen their anatomical knowledge and surgical skills in managing challenging cases such as giant, subcostal, parastomal, and flank hernias.
These advanced courses focus on technical precision, safe practice, and optimal outcomes, ensuring surgeons are fully equipped to perform high-quality procedures across all modern hernia surgery approaches.
The EHS Advanced Cadaveric Courses are intended for senior trainees and consultants with substantial experience in hernia surgery who wish to advance their skills in complex open, minimally invasive, and robotic techniques. These courses are ideal for surgeons committed to deepening their expertise and mastering challenging procedures under expert guidance.
The UEMS-AWS examination is for surgeons who have finished their training, and have been exposed to specialist abdominal wall practice. Examinations are usually arranged in connection with the annual EHS Congress.
Find more information HERE.
Accreditation of EHS courses ensures that they meet recognised CME standards, enhancing their credibility. By validating the quality and consistency of training, accreditation aligns courses with professional development requirements, demonstrating a commitment to high-quality, evidence-based education.
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