• Start date:
  • 30 October 2025
  • Duration:
  • 2 days
  • Intended Audience:
  • Resident physician, Medical specialist

Accreditations

  • NOV:
  • 14
  • NVVN:
  • 14
  • NVPC:
  • 12

During this two-days hands-on dissection course you will learn how to expose all the major nerves of the upper limb. The relation of the median nerve to the carpal tunnel syndrome, and the ulnar nerve to the cubital tunnel syndrome and Guyon’s canal will be studied. You will gain experience in neurolysis and transposition. Furthermore, the approach of both the supraclavicular as well as the infraclavicular part of the brachial plexus will be practised and all elements will be identified. Specific nerve transfers can be practised on request. Additionally attention will be paid to the course of the main vessels.

The course consists of four half-day sessions. Each session starts with a brief theoretical introduction. The practical part of the training will start with a short cadaver surgical demonstration. Subsequently, under the supervision of our experienced staff, the participants will dissect the arm of a cadaver.
Prior to the course all participants will receive the course manual.

 

Learning objectives
After following this course you are able to carry out operations to the arm where the treatment of nerve pathology is central or where iatrogenic nerve injuries must be avoided, with confidence.

 

Language
In case of participants from outside the Netherlands the course language will be in English.

 

Accreditation
Accreditation will be requested at the various professional associations.

 

Target group
This course is meant for neurosurgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, trauma surgeons, plastic surgeons, general surgeons and for those who are in training for one of these specialties.
For Neurosurgery trainees in the Netherlands the course is a compulsory part of the curriculum.

The course takes place under the auspices of the Dutch Society for Neurosurgery.

 

Course committee
Dr. W. Pondaag, nervesurgeon of the department of neurosurgery of LUMC (chair)
Prof.dr. M.J.A. Malessy, nervesurgeon of the department of neurosurgery of LUMC

  Day 1
09:00Registration and coffee
09:15Introduction
 Dr. Willem Pondaag
09:30Surgical anatomy of the median and ulnar nerve in the hand
 Dr. Willem Pondaag
10:00Dissection: The median nerve in the carpal tunnel. 
11:00Coffee and tea
11:15Dissection: The ulnar nerve in Guyon’s canal; continuation Carpal tunnel syndrome; dissect median nerve in the lower arm. 
12:30Lunch @ De Stal
13:45Surgical anatomy of the ulnar nerve; simple decompression for Ulnar
Neuropathy at the Elbow (UNE) and transposition; nerve suture. 
 Dr. Justus Groen
14:00Dissection: Decompression for UNE; volar transposition of the ulnar nerve;
suture ulnar nerve. 
15:00Incision and surgical anatomy of radial nerve
 Drs. Jochem Nagels
15:15Dissection: Lateral approach to the radial nerve. 
16:15Coffee and tea
16:30Dissection: Dorsal approach to the proximal radial nerve and distal axillary nerve; nerve transfer radial to axillary.
17:30End of program
Drinks
 Day 2
08:30Coffee and tea
09:00Surgical anatomy of the supraclavicular brachial plexus. 
 Dr. Justus Groen
09:15Dissection: Exploration of supraclavicular brachial plexus including spinal nerve C2-C4, punctum nervosum and phrenic nerve. 
10:45Coffee and tea
11:00Surgical anatomy of the infraclavicular brachial plexus; nerve transfers
 Dr. Willem Pondaag
11;15Dissection: Exploration of infraclavicular brachial plexus via transpectoral approach; exploration of axillary fossa; Oberlin transfer. 
12:30Lunch @ De Stal
13:45Dissection: overview brachial plexus from supraclavicular to infraclavicular, 
continuation to upper arm / fore-arm; nerve suture; nerve transfers (Oberlin transfer; brachialis/ERCB to AIN, AIN to DBUN). 
14:45Incision and surgical anatomy of accessory nerve
 Prof. dr. Martijn Malessy
15:00Dissection: Accessory nerve; any other unfinished topics, e.g. nerve suture or nerve transfers. 
15:15Exploration accessory nerve
16:30Discussion: clinical aspects, pitfalls, complications
 Dr. Willem Pondaag
(with drinks)
17:30End of program
Dr. J.L. Groen
Neurochirurg, LUMC
Prof. dr. M.J.A. Malessy
Neurochirurg, LUMC
Drs. J. Nagels
Orthopedisch chirurg, LUMC
Prof. Dr. R.G.H.H. Nelissen
Dr. R.G.E. Notenboom
Anatomie, LUMC
Dr. W. Pondaag
Neurochirurg, LUMC
LUMC
Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden

 

Price
Course fee        € 1.500
 

Please note that upon registration, you agree to our Terms and Conditions, including the stated cancellation policy. Administration fees may be charged upon cancellation.