Small Animal Laser Surgery

NB: Please do not make flight reservations until the course you are registering in is confirmed. Confirmation depends on the number of registrants which varies with each course. You will receive a confirmation either by phone, fax or email. Lifelearn reserves the right to cancel a course, in which case a full course refund only will be paid. All other costs will be paid by the registrant. For registrations that you wish to cancel, a 90% refund less deposit will be issued up to 60 days prior to the course. No refunds will be issued after that date except under special circumstances, when the maximum refund is 50%.

Learn from experts what a CO₂ laser can do, and how your colleagues around North America are applying the technology in their daily practices.

In an age when medical discoveries are routine, the concept of lifelong learning is more important than ever before. The use of CO₂ lasers in veterinary surgery has exploded in the last several years and provides an exciting way to expand your knowledge and your practice. Patients experience less pain and recover more quickly. CO₂ laser surgery significantly reduces bleeding and provides the surgeon with unparalleled visibility and precision. Pet owners are happy to pay an additional fee to have their loved ones experience less discomfort after surgery and return to normal activity sooner.

Instructors

John C. Godbold, Jr. DVM, Stonehaven Park Veterinary Hospital Laser Surgery Center, Jackson, Tennessee: In high demand as a CO₂ laser surgery trainer, Dr. Godbold has spoken at over 120 laser surgery workshops, wet-labs, and continuing education meetings throughout North America and Europe. He graduated with honors from Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1978. In 1980 he established Stonehaven Park Veterinary Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee where he practices full time as a solo small animal practitioner.

Dr. Godbold has published numerous articles about the use of CO₂ laser surgery in small animal practice. His publications have appeared in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Laserpoints and in the Newsletter of the Veterinary Surgical Laser Society. Dr. Godbold published the Atlas of CO₂ Laser Surgery Procedures in 2002 with a new edition following each year since. The Atlas has been translated into several foreign languages and has worldwide distribution. He also works with a large number of laser and allied equipment manufacturers in the design, development, and testing of new laser technology.

Ray Arza, DVM graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1979 and practiced in a small animal hospital from 1979 until 2002. He started using CO₂ laser in practice in 1998. He has lectured and participated in laser continuing education courses throughout the United States and Canada for the last seven years and is an independent sales consultant for several equipment manufacturers.

Course Content
This two day event includes lectures (7 hours) and a wet lab (7 hours). Participants will learn from a combination of lectures, laboratory exercises, and hands on participation in surgical procedures. CO₂ laser physics and safety, and CO₂ laser equipment and its preparation, usage and maintenance will be addressed, as will ways to make usage easy and adaptable in any surgical suite.

CO₂ laser-tissue interaction, tissue handling techniques and surgical concepts important to good CO₂ surgical results will be stressed. Through diverse case presentations in slide show and video format, as well as hands on practice, participants will be exposed to, and develop the skills to perform, the ever widening diversity of procedures in which the CO₂ laser can be used.

Procedures that will be covered include elective surgeries, oncological applications, eye, ear, oral cavity and respiratory surgeries, ano-uro-genital surgeries, and orthopedic surgeries. (Participants will be contacted before the course to determine preferences of procedures included.)

Because the vast majority of knowledge about CO2 laser surgery has been developed by surgeons using flexible hollow wave guide delivery systems, the majority of the material presented will focus on it, and, the CO2 lasers used in the lab will be flexible hollow wave guide delivery systems.

Agenda Friday, November 14, 2008
8:30	Let There Be Light - Introduction to CO₂ Lasers CO₂ Laser Physics, Safety, and Equipment CO₂ Laser - Tissue Interaction and Technique Clinical Applications of the CO₂ Laser
9:30	Break
9:45	Clinical Applications of the CO₂ Laser
10:45	Break
11:00	Clinical Applications of the CO₂ Laser Marketing: Making Expensive Technology Profitable
12:00	Lunch
1:00	Light Years Ahead – What’s Next With CO₂ and Other Lasers? Clinical Applications of the CO₂ Laser
2:15	Break
2:30	Clinical Applications of the CO₂ Laser
3:45	Break
4:00	Practical Tips and Tidbits to Make CO₂ Lasers Easier to Use Clinical Applications of the CO₂ Laser
5:00	Course Concludes for the Day

Agenda
Saturday, November 15, 2008