vetprac

Laparoscopy Principles & Practice

November 8th - 9th, 2025

University of Queensland, Gatton Campus

CPD points: NSW: 23
Other: 15

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Minimally invasive. Maximally empowering. It’s the future of veterinary surgery.

Laparoscopy is the portal to a whole new world of surgical fun.

There’s a reason it’s the gold standard in human medicine – offering faster recovery, less pain, and greater precision. Laparoscopy is an invaluable tool for general practitioners eager to extend their surgical game.

Led by some of our most experienced laparoscopic educators, this immersive, hands-on workshop provides a solid foundation in the principles of laparoscopic surgery and loads of time on the tools under the guidance of specialists.

From cryptorchids to cystotomies – you’ll learn how to perform advanced minimally invasive procedures and discover how to seamlessly integrate these new offerings into your clinic.

Small groups. Lots of toys. Loads of hands-on time.

Welcome to the magical world of laparoscopy.

WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR?

Small holes. Big dreams.

Laparoscopy is already redefining surgery in progressive clinics across the world – why not yours?

Across two jam-packed days at UQ Gatton, we will teach you the art and science of laparoscopic surgery. You’ll get a mix of tutorials, dry lab skills, and real model-based surgery to help build understanding and confidence to tackle a range of new procedures.

Understand, then apply

Get a solid grounding in the theory and principles of laparoscopy. You’ll learn the mechanics of the equipment, how to position your patients, the physics of insufflation and pressure, as well as how to navigate the abdomen in a 2D world from outside the body wall.

Learn by doing

Hands-on training is the key to successful keyhole surgery. This course prioritises practical time so you can spend hours building real, repeatable skills.

Here at VetPrac, we keep things personal.  You’ll learn in small groups and work on multiple specimens with real-time technique support from our team.

Practice, practice, practice

Navigate your way through these shiny lap-assisted procedures

  • A new way to desex
    • Ovariectomy and vasectomy
    • Hysterectomy and ovariohysterectomy
    • Cryptorchidectomy
    • Gastropexy
  • Biopsies including liver and gastrointestinal
  • Cystotomy
  • Splenectomy

We want to give you the tools, techniques, and confidence to apply laparoscopic techniques to loads of complex cases back in your clinic.

Who should join?

This workshop is perfect for general practitioners who want to add laparoscopy to their surgical toolkit or sharpen their existing skills. If you’re already comfortable with surgical principles and want to take your abilities to the next level, this course will arm you with the confidence to integrate laparoscopy into your practice.

No gear? No worries!
Don’t own the tools yet? No problem. We’ve partnered with top suppliers who’ll bring the latest equipment to the workshop. You’ll get your hands on the best gear available. Plus, they’ll be right there to chat and answer any questions you have about purchasing the right tools for your practice.

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Develop your knowledge base

  • Indications, contraindications, benefits and considerations.
  • Equipment and the imaging chain
  • Nuances of patient positioning
  • Physiology of pressure and insufflation
  • Triangulation and visualisation
  • Haemostasis and dealing with complications

Develop your dexterity

  • Learn to drive the equipment
  • Practice safe abdominal entry
  • Portal placements and insufflation
  • Cautery and instrument handling
  • Navigate the abdomen
  • Develop 2D visualisation
  • Get your head around the fulcrum effect
patella luxation workshop photos

Workshop Schedule

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Your Educators

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Dr Boel A. Fransson

Qualifications: DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVS, ACVS Founding Fellow MIS (thoracoscopy/laparoscopy)

Dr. Boel Fransson, DVM, PhD, DACVS, is a Professor of Small Animal Surgery at Washington State University (WSU). She earned her DVM (1992) and PhD (2003) from Uppsala University, completed a Small Animal Surgery residency at WSU (2003), and became an ACVS Diplomate the same year. A founding ACVS Fellow in Minimally Invasive Surgery (2017), she co-edits Small Animal Laparoscopy and Thoracoscopy (2015, 2021) and has authored over 80 scientific publications. Dr. Fransson developed the Veterinary Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (VALS) program and specializes in minimally invasive, oncologic, reconstructive, vascular, thoracic surgery, and supraspinatus tendinopathy. Her research focuses on laparoscopic skills training, minimally invasive surgery, and systemic inflammatory response in canine pyometra.

Dr Brenton

Dr Brenton Chambers

Qualifications: BVSc (Hons), MVSc, FANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery)

Specialisation: Small Animal Surgery

Dr Chambers graduated in 1994 from the University of Queensland, and spent his early career in general and emergency practice. He became a registered specialist in Small Animal Surgery in 2013. Brenton works in specialist referral practice at the Centre for Animal Referral and Emergency (CARE) in Melbourne, with a special interest in minimally invasive surgery. Brenton is an experienced educator and says the fine nuance of surgical procedures are learned from doing and watching others. He reminds all vets to keep in touch and support each other.

Andres Townsend

Dr Andres Townsend

Qualifications: BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery)

Dr Townsend is a skilled general practitioner with a passion for surgery. He holds Membership in Surgery (MANZCVS) through the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, reflecting his advanced expertise and dedication to surgical excellence.
As Clinical Director of a busy small animal clinic on the Gold Coast, he brings extensive experience and advanced training to his role. His commitment to surgical excellence ensures that every procedure is performed with precision and the highest standard of care. Andres is highly regarded in the veterinary field for his dedication to achieving outstanding surgical outcomes.

WHAT OUR PARTICIPANTS SAY…

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WHY JOIN A VETPRAC WORKSHOP?

Get confident

Gain the knowledge and hands on skills to take your laparoscopy techniques to the next level.

Social network

This is your tribe. Spend some quality time with people who understand what you do each day.

Great food

We’ll make sure you’re nourished with healthy food, sweet treats & caffeine, so you can get on with learning new skills.

Hands on experience

It’s all about time on the tools. We prioritise procedures & surgical practice so you have time to see the skills & do the skills with specialist guidance.

Personalised feedback

As a participant, you’ll get real-time feedback on your surgical planning & execution with the chance to refine your approach with experienced practitioners.

Real-world training

Learn in the same way you work. You’ll learn procedures within the clinical context & enjoy full support, so things make sense when you get back to the clinic.

Your Questions Answered

Are group discounts available?

Absolutely! Work together, learn together, we say. If 3 or more participants register from the same clinic under the same booking, you’ll receive a 5% discount at checkout when you book on our website.

Will I get CPD points and a CPD certificate?

Of course! Each participant will receive a CPD certificate via email. We do this after you’ve provided feedback and the workshop is complete.

What kind of learning materials are included?

Generally, you can choose printed course notes, a digital copy on USB, or both. Everyone gets a printed copy of the procedure guide.

What happens if I pay and then later can’t attend?
  • Transferring or changing registration from one workshop to another will incur a $50 administration fee.
  • Cancellations made up to 45 days prior to the commencement date of the Training Course will incur an administrative fee of 50% of the course investment.
  • Cancellations made up to 7 days prior to the commencement date of the Training Course are not refundable.

Can I pay in instalments, or do you offer payment plans?

Yes! At VetPrac we are pleased to offer payment plans for our online courses and workshops. We want to make it manageable for you to invest in your professional development.

For more information regarding our payment plans, please do not hesitate to contact Ros at [email protected].

What happens if the workshop is cancelled?

If VetPrac cancels any workshops, we will refund your course fees in full. However, VetPrac will not be responsible for any travel, accommodation or any other expenses incurred by you.

Still have questions? We’ve got answers.
Call +61 491 943 260

Still have questions? We’ve got answers.
Call +61 491 943 260

 

 

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