General Information
The EHS invite you to the 2-day Intensive Advanced OPEN Cadaver Course in Innsbruck, Austria, on 23-24 March 2026.
This course is a part of the EHS Education Pathway. Read more about it here.
The EHS Advanced OPEN Cadaveric Courses provide in-depth, hands-on training in complex open hernia repair. Designed for senior trainees and consultants, the course focuses on advanced techniques such as Rives-Stoppa, giant hernia repair, subcostal, parastomal, and flank hernias.
Through expert-led theoretical sessions and guided cadaveric dissection, participants strengthen their anatomical understanding, technical precision, and ability to manage challenging cases safely and effectively.
This course equips surgeons with the essential skills needed for high-quality open abdominal wall surgery, supporting improved patient outcomes and continued professional advancement.
Programme
The Advanced OPEN Cadaver Course in Innsbruck, Austria is an intensive course with a special focus on giant hernia pitfalls and bail out solutions, subcostal hernia, flank hernia and much more. The overall focus for the course is to increase the participants knowledge on*:
- Stoppa repair
- Excess skin
- Rives Stoppa and pelvic anatomy
- Laparotomy Closure Small bites
- Open abdomen surgery and use of NPWT in Open Surgery
This Advanced course will be a combination of presentations and practical skill training in the cadaver lab.
Pre-course Materials
EHS courses are more than just on-site training — they’re a complete learning experience.
Before the course, participants gain access to comprehensive pre-course materials, including EHS guidelines, expert presentations, supplementary resources, step-by-step procedure descriptions, and surgical recordings.
You’ll also benefit from mentor feedback throughout and after the course, ensuring personal guidance and continuous learning.
With pre- and post-tests, you can track your progress and measure your improvement.
This blended learning model gives you access to expert insights, educational videos, and reading materials in advance — allowing you to arrive well-prepared, ready to focus on case discussions and hands-on practice during the course.
*Materials used in the skills lab or presented in introductions are sponsored by the industry partners supporting the EHS with unrestricted grants. For more information about our industry partners, please visit: EHS sponsors. The EHS Cadaver Course organisers emphasise that a variety of products, including those used in the courses, as well as other products, are suitable to achieve successful results in hernia repair.
Registration
REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Please fill in the application form.
Only for EHS members.
Want to participate? Make sure you have documents and requirements ready. Please fill in the application form and submit it. You will receive information about the registration process afterwards.
Experience Requirements
- The course is suitable for Senior Trainees or Consultants
- Logbook Verification: A logbook must be submitted for verification, documenting the participant’s experience as a primary surgeon unsupervised. The logbook should confirm the completion of the following procedures:
- Number of operations performed as primary surgeon unsupervised:
- Laparotomies including trauma: 50 or more
- Open inguinal hernia repairs: 50 or more
- Open umbilical/paraumbilical hernia repairs: 50 or more
- Number of operations performed as primary surgeon unsupervised or supervised:
- Open Ventral Hernia repairs including Rives Stoppa: 10 or more
3. Department Endorsement:
- Letter from the Head of the department or Supervisor that there are opportunities to further develop your skills in advanced open ventral hernia repair
Application
OBS! Remember to log in before you fill out the application form below.
APPLICATION FORM
Faculty
All EHS courses are taught by highly skilled and experienced surgeons. Our faculty ensures that participants receive high-quality, hands-on training guided by leaders in the field.
The faculty will be added as they are confirmed in the programme.
Alexis Theodorou,
Greece
Yohann Renard,
France
Alix Donadiou,
France
Mette Willaume,
Denmark
Local Organising Committee:
Yohann Renard, Alix Donadiou, Antoine Vancon & Pierre Gueroult
Course Fee
2-day course fee: 1350 EUR (excluding VAT)
Including VAT (20%): 1620 EUR
The registration fee includes:
Admission to the full course programme
Coffee breaks and lunch
Course Dinner on the first evening
Cancellation terms
Cancellation of registration must be notified in writing to CAP Partner at registration@cap-partner.eu. Cancellations postmarked before and on the date indicated below will be refunded 50% of the registration fee. After that date, registration fees are non-refundable.
Cancellation deadline: 22 January 2026.
If the course is cancelled due to other unforeseen events beyond the control of the organisers, the registration fee will be refunded after the deduction of expenses incurred by the course.
Location (Lab)
The course is facilitated in Institute for Clinical-Functional Anatomy
Medical University Innsbruck (MUI)
You can read more about the lab here.
Address:
Müllerstrasse 59
6020 Innsbruck
Austria
Find it on Google Maps here.
CME Credits
Opportunity to earn CME Credits
This course offers a unique opportunity to enhance your skills while advancing your professional development in Abdominal Wall Surgery.
An application has been made to the UEMS EACCME® for CME/CPD accreditation of this event
Previous courses
The course is facilitated in the Manchester Surgical Skills and Simulation Centre (MSSSC).
The MSSSC is located in the centre of Manchester and is one of only a few training centres in the country to offer cadaveric dissection using fresh frozen tissue. It has been a cornerstone of multi-professional learning, facilitating regional, national and international courses since 2012.
You can read more about the lab here.
Address:
Stopford Building,
Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
Find it on Google Maps here.
