2024 Topics and Presenters

This year, the Canadian Neurosurgery Rookie Camp will take place virtually via Zoom. Zoom information will be forwarded to participants a few days prior to the actual weekend. The weekend will consist of several stations, each station being taught by an expert in that field. Here is the (modified) list of stations and presenters for 2024:

Station 1: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (Peter Gooderham)

Objectives:
• • Systematically interpret a CT scan and develop an initial management plan
• • Effectively communicate the management plan to a senior resident or staff
• • Recognize surface landmarks for, and brain anatomy exposed by, the pterional craniotomy
• • Outline the physiology of hyponatremia and the immediate / longer term treatment options

Station 2: Transsphenoidal Surgery (David Clarke)

Objectives:
• • Systematically interpret a CT scan and develop an initial management plan
• • Become familiar with the basic use of the endoscope
• • Demonstrate important anatomical landmarks in the transsphenoidal approach to the anterior skull base

Station 3: Posterior fossa (Jeff Atkinson)

Objectives:
• • Systematically interpret a CT scan and develop an initial management plan
• • Recognize surface landmarks for, and brain anatomy exposed by, the suboccipital craniotomy
• • Demonstrate, using role play, how to effectively deliver bad news

Station 4: Spine degenerative (Carlo Santaguida)

Objectives:
• • Differentiate radicular from non-radicular back and neck pains
• • Identify myelopathy presentation and findings
• • Get informed consent for a lumber discectomy

Station 5: On call essentials 1 (Cian O’Kelly)

• • Demonstrate an approach to troubleshooting drains
• • Manage a patient with a post-operative neck hematoma
• • Review common causes of hyponatremia. Discuss importance of treating hyponatremia in neurosurgical patients. Develop a practical approach to hyponatremia

Station 6: Simulation (Peter Brindley)

Objectives:
• • Collaborate as part of a team to ensure early resuscitation and appropriate communication strategies in the emergency room.
• • Demonstrate leadership and situational awareness to ensure patient safety during a neurosurgery emergency
• • Communicate to peers the condition of a neurosurgery patient

Station 7: Bedside procedure demonstration (Gwynedd Pickett)

Objectives:
• • Describe the landmarks for EVD insertion
• • Insert an external ventricular drain the using the traditional landmarks and correctly attach to an external ventricular collection system
• • Demonstrate the ability to trouble shoot to assess functionality of the drain
• • Demonstrate how to perform a lumbar puncture including the preparation for the procedure (preparation and draping) , finding the appropriate level and collection of the CSF
• • Demonstrate how to set up and connect a lumbar drainage system

Station 8: On call essentials 2 (Ericka Leck)

Objectives:
• • Develop a management approach to elevated ICP
• • Review definition of status epilepticus. Develop an approach to management or Status epilepticus
• • discuss ‘bad consults’. What does that mean? How should it be handled?



Station 9: Head injury (Peter Gooderham)

Objectives:
• • Systematically interpret a CT scan and develop an initial management plan
• • Trauma Craniotomy review
• • Recognize and describe the anatomical explanation for a cranial nerve III palsy



Station 10: Spine trauma (Carlo Santaguida)

Objectives:
• • Understand basic principles in evaluating and initially managing a patient with a spinal cord injury
• • Demonstrate appropriate halo application and show how this is used in cervical traction/reduction



Station 11: Orientation to OR and instruments (Cian O’Kelly)

Objectives:
• • Review sterile field, standard prep and drape principles
• • Review basic neurosurgical instruments and equipment



Station 12: Shuntology (Jeff Atkinson)

Objectives:
• • Explain the physiology of hydrocephalus
• • List the usual sequence of events in the insertion of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt
• • Practice tapping a shunt in sterile conditions / changing valve settings
• • Explain the physics and mechanics of how shunt systems work