Laparoscopy Training
Updates from the Committee
I am delighted to take over as chair the laparoscopic training portfolio of the BSGE. Sameer Umranikar did a fantastic job over the last 3 years in this role. I am joined on the subcommittee by Karolina Afors and Ilyas Nikopolous who have already made huge contributions to laparoscopic training.
The BSGE has provided exceptional opportunity for training in advanced laparoscopy over the years, especially with the development of the Ethicon and Olympus ST5+ courses. Within my role as laparoscopic training chair I aim to try and help improve the delivery of laparoscopic training courses at deanery level so that quality of teaching, equipment and models are standardized.
Myself and James Mclaren, under the trainees portfolio, introduced an Intermediate Laparoscopy course this year aimed at st3-5 trainees to help develop their skills in ovarian cystectomy, salpingectomy and oophorectomy as well as an introduction to laparoscopic suturing.
This course has now run twice over 2018 and a similar course will also form one of the pre-congress workshops at the BSGE Celtic Manor Meeting in May 2019. I hope to be involved in the delivery of more Intermediate Laparoscopy Courses which we hope can be facilitated by some of the RIGs regional representatives across the country in the future.
The RCOG/ BSGE meeting in Benign Abdominal Surgery is an annual course which took place in September 2018. There were 65 delegates, most of which are undertaking the Benign Abdominal Surgery ATSM. I will continue to run a similar 3-day course next year with some exciting new content to practical and theoretical elements
If you have any particular ideas regarding laparoscopic training and how I can help improve opportunities for all members please get in touch with me at the BSGE.
Meet The Portfolio Members
Lina Antoun
Chair of Laparoscopic Training
Miss Antoun is a Consultant Gynaecologist at the Birmingham Women’s & Children’s Hospital specialising in minimal access surgery, particularly endometriosis and advanced endoscopic procedures. She has completed her training in advanced laparoscopic surgery and colposcopy at Birmingham Women’s Hospital and was a research fellow at University of Birmingham. She authored and co-authored peer-reviewed publications, presented both nationally and internationally on numerous occasions and received both national and international prizes at scientific meetings for her contribution and work in minimally invasive gynaecological surgery.
In 2022, she was elected as a BSGE council member responsible for the trainee’s portfolio, and was re-elected in 2024 as senior council member overseeing the laparoscopic training portfolio. She continues to participate as facilitator for the RCOG/BSGE Laparoscopic training courses, and works as part of the team to help deliver the successful and popular national RIGs Hub National Training Programme.
Angharad Jones
Chair of BSGE Information Resources & Editor of The Scope
Chou Phay Lim
Consultant Gynaecologist
I am a Consultant Gynaecologist at Lister Hospital, Stevenage. My surgical practice is predominantly Laparoscopic and Robotic surgery for Endometriosis and other non-cancer work.  I also support research as a PI for REGAL, ESPriT2, and DIAMOND.  I have been active with BSGE since I was a trainee and have worked on a variety of initiatives including RIGS, Intermediate course, and the RCOG BAS Course.