GVC Vascular Trauma Course

PAST EVENT:

Inaugural

Friday 23 – Saturday 24 January 2026

Northern Public and Private Hospital, Epping, Victoria, Australia

The Inaugural GVC Vascular Trauma Course is a landmark training event hosted by Global Vascular Companionship with the support of the WFVS, ANZSVS and JSVS. Led by Professor Erica Mitchell and an international faculty including Professors Hideaki Obara and Dr Young-Kwang Park (EBM), the course combines cutting-edge lectures, case-based discussions, and immersive hands-on simulation using high-fidelity vascular trauma models. Designed for vascular, trauma, military, and general Trainees the workshop aims to advance global expertise in managing vascular injuries while strengthening surgical capacity in Australia and low- and middle-income countries.

Suitable for GVC mentees, General Surgeons and Vascular Registrars and Trainees.

Leadership:

Program Director & Scientific Chair:

Professor Erica Mitchell (USA)

Australian Organising Chair:

Professor David McClure (Australia)

Skills Program Chair:

Professor Hideaki Obara (Japan)

Chief Simulation Faculty:

Dr Young-Kwang Park (EBM, Japan)

Day 1

– Friday 23 January

Anastomosis Skills Training (paired registrars) – 20-min rotations, then switch
Tips & Tricks (lecture during station reset) – Prof. Obara
Anastomosis Heat Race #1 – Categories: fastest, best quality, best assistance, best overall
Core Lecture Block – Prof. Mitchell & faculty
- Dx of Vascular Injury (PE, ABI, imaging);
  hemorrhagic/ischemic/thrombogenic injuries
- Hemorrhage Control: non-surgical; surgical/
  endovascular (extremity, neck, chest,
  abdomen); shunts
- Basic Open Techniques: conduits
  (GSV/FV/non-autogenous), anastomoses
  (end-end/end-side/mismatch), tunnelling
- Basic Endovascular: balloon control,
  embolisation, stenting
- DUS for mapping & access; Surgical Exposures
  from aorta to distal vessels
Anastomosis Heat Race #2 (evening sessions for the Die hard competitors)

Faculty contributors include but not limited to:

Erica Mitchell, Hideaki Obara, Young-Kwang Park, Nalaka Gunawansa, William Yoon, Michael Woosup Park, Matt Smith, Inez Torres, Dr Takuro Shirasu (Japan), Dr Sabatta Tsotetsi (South Africa)

Day 2

– Saturday 24 January

Endovascular Skills Station (GORE® Session) – hands-on endovascular trauma repair
Lectures: fasciotomies (thigh/4-compartment/forearm), CTR, primary amputations (ankle/BK/AK/hip/UE), venous repairs (VC, iliac, femoral, popliteal)
Integrated Trauma: ortho + vascular, nerve injuries – Maysam Shehab
TOP GUN Anastomosis Competition (finals) – awards for fastest, best quality, best assistance, best overall