Laparoscopy Training
Updates from the Committee
I am delighted to take over as chair the laparoscopic training portfolio of the BSGE. Donna Ghosh did a fantastic job over the last 3 years in this role. I am joined on the subcommittee by fantastic team members who have already made huge contributions to laparoscopic training.
The BSGE continue to provide an exceptional opportunity for training in advanced laparoscopy over the years, especially with the development of the Ethicon and Olympus ST5+ courses.
We also have the joint RCOG/ BSGE benign abdominal surgery course which ran in September 2024 with more than 80 delegates. This course was redesigned with new lectures, and simulation models to reflect the RCOG SITMS focusing on skills required to perform total laparoscopic hysterectomy, laparoscopic suturing and morcellation. The course feedback was extremely positive. 95% of delegates felt the course met their personal development needs and 95% felt that the content of the programme was up to date. We will be delivering this course in September 2025, again with excellent speakers and workshop faculty.
RIGs programme was successfully completed for all three streams (basic, intermediate and advanced) under the BSGE trainee representatives Samantha Kirkwood, Ben Mondelli and Flo Britton and will continue to run in 2025. We will continue to run our RIGS programme for 2025 in addition to the annual laparoscopic pre-congress workshop for Leeds ASM and the suturing competition where you can compete for amazing prizes and earn certificates that could be a fantastic addition to your surgical portfolio.
A cadaveric course will be held in March 2025 aiming to improve laparoscopic surgical skills and anatomical knowledge at an advanced level and registration is currently open for the course.
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.
Lina Antoun
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.
Sabrina Butt
Laparoscopic Training Subcommittee member
Consultant
Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Dorota Hardy
BSGE ASM 2025 Lead Organiser
I am a consultant gynaecologist and minimal access surgeon in Leeds Teaching Hospitals. I completed my postgraduate training in Newcastle and Middlesbrough and specialise in advanced laparoscopic surgery particularly endometriosis. My other interest is research: I completed MD in molecular biology of cancer in Newcastle University and I am NIHR research lead for Women’s Health in Yorkshire & Humber as well as honorary senior lecturer at University of Leeds.
Most recently, I am a head of the local organising committee BSGE ASM 2025 in Leeds and a member of BSGE subcommittee for laparoscopic portfolio. I am excited about organising BSGE ASM 2025 in Leeds and I hope it will enhance you surgical skills, knowledge as well as social circles. I am very enthusiastic about working within BSGE laparoscopic training subcommittee to strive for the highest standards in teaching, training and simulation. I have been facilitating, participating in advanced courses nationally and internationally and I am keen to share my experience and passion for training. The BSGE provided me with a fantastic network of friends and invaluable training opportunities and I would like to give it back to the future generations of gynaecology surgeons.”
Ahmed Ibrahim
Laparoscopic Training Subcommittee member
Consultant Gynaecologist
University Hospitals Plymouth
Ayesha Mahmud
Laparoscopic Training Subcommittee member
Consultant Gynaecologist
Royal Stoke University Hospital