Ortho Update 2023

Ronnie Davies

After a COVID-19 induced move to an online format, the Ortho Update course returned to face-toface this year. This provided the opportunity to add some rather dramatic trauma simulation to the programme, enabling participants to get some major trauma resuscitation and spinal injury CEXs validated. A fantastic group of medical students added to the realism as simulated patients and gosh, what a performance they put on!

The focus was on trauma this year, and in a BOA first, we had a truly multidisciplinary bunch, including a general surgeon (and ATLS enthusiast) and a plastic surgeon who led case-based discussions about major burns. A personal favourite was the case-based discussion station of ‘the good, the bad and the ugly’, in which faculty aired their dirty washing to discuss the principles of fracture fixation. By the end of the course, candidates completed an average of six WBAs covering trauma topics that included compartment syndrome, neurovascular injuries and physiological response to trauma.

A highlight of the course was the thought-provoking plenary lecture by our very own Niall Eames entitled ‘The Second Victim’. This included a powerful video of a patient who was paralysed during a spinal operation. It was certainly the talking point at most tables over lunch.

We are already planning next year’s course, which is provisionally set to cover ‘Exams and Clinical Examination: how to pass the FRCS and examine like a pro’. Of course, there will be a few surprises to make it another excellent day of orthopaedic education.