LAST Ireland Laboratory Animal Surgery Module
EU Module 22: Principles of surgery (See learning outcomes)
Prerequisites:
Candidates are expected to have available the Handbook of Laboratory Animal Management and Welfare (Wolfensohn & Lloyd; ideally 4th ed.) and to be familiar with chapters 9 & 10.
Format of course:
There are two components to the course.
Theory. (250Euro)
This will be undertaken on moodle by the student . There will be a theory exam at the end of it.
This is fully self directed and can be done at any time.
After doing this module there is a practical session available.
Practical module (350 euro)
This will be held over a 6 hour session in Trinity College Dublin.
The next practical session is scheduled for Saturday the 4th of october 2025
Like all difficult physical skills, surgery requires practice under supervision by a skilled trainer before an acceptable level of competency can be acquired.
The practical aspects of surgery will be demonstrated and the student will be given a surgery kit to enable them to practice incisions and sutures .
Learning Outcomes
This module covers principles of pre–operative animal assessment and care, preparations for surgery including equipment preparation and aseptic technique and the principles of successful surgery.
The module provides information about possible complications, post–operative care and monitoring along with details of the healing process.
It also covers more practical elements for example the demonstration of commonly used instruments and provide an opportunity for trainees to practice some of the practical aspects of surgical technique, such as methods of suturing, using appropriate non–animal models.
Learning Outcomes Trainees should be able to:
22.1. Explain the relevance and need for pre–operative assessment and, where appropriate, conditioning.
22.2. Identify sources of reference for good surgical practice
22.3. Describe the process of tissue healing and relate to this to the importance of asepsis and hygienic practices, wound creation, the principles of tissue handling and selection of a suitable surgical approach
22.4. Discuss possible causes of delayed or impaired wound healing or other post–surgical complications and describe ways in which these can be avoided or, if they occur, treated
22.5. Describe in general terms how personnel, animals, instruments and equipment should be prepared for aseptic surgery
22.6. List the principles of successful surgery (e.g. Halstead’s principles) and indicate how to achieve these
22.7. Describe the characteristics of different, commonly–used instruments, suture materials and needles
22.8. Relate the importance of good technique in accessing surgical sites, handling tissues and repairing incisions
22.9. Indicate the characteristics of different suture patterns and their applicability to different situations
22.10. Demonstrate how to place a suture correctly
22.11. Describe common post–surgical complications and their causes
22.12. Relate the principles of post–surgical care and monitoring
22.13. Describe the planning of surgical procedures and discuss the competencies required of all personnel involved
22.14. Demonstrate competence in surgical techniques, including ablations and incisions and their closure by methods appropriate to the tissue concerned
22.15. Describe particular aspects of care appropriate for animals before, during and after surgical or any other potentially painful intervention
Updated 2
Notice
NEW WE are now providing a surgical module covering EU 22 modules
Contact us for more information
Courses
NEXT COURSE is on the 11/9/25
This course has a face to face module in Trinity College Dublin on the 17/9/25
Registration here or email sec@last-ireland.ie for more information
Species specific courses are self directed and fully online
There will be a course on the 12th of November .
(Registration will open in September)
(There is a a Face to Face component in Dublin on the 19th of November)
Exams
All exams will be online .
Exams will be hosted online using Zoom.
The next dates are
19/9/25. @ 11.00 Note: this is a Friday
2/10/25. @ 11.00
16/10/25. @ 11.00