AN EXCITING, LEARNING-FILLED and ENJOYABLE JOURNEY INDEED!
The year 2023 saw the Dermatologic Surgery Unit, in collaboration with the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC) National Specialty Center for Dermatology – Department of Dermatology and in partnership with the Skin Research Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (SRF) conducting its innovative 16th Annual Basic Dermatologic Surgery Course and Workshop entitled “Back to the Suture” on a mixed-platform format. The virtual lecture via Zoom was successfully conducted last February 3, 2023. This was followed by full face-to-face workshop on February 4, 2023 at the JRRMMC Dermatology Conference Room.
The virtual event was formally opened by the Chairperson of the JRRMMC Department of the Dermatology, Dr. Ma. Flordeliz Abad-Casintahan, overview of the program was given by Dr. Ma. Christina B. Gulfan, Dermatologic Surgery Consultant and Program Director of Back to the Suture 2023. Our Dermatologic Surgery Fellow, Dr. Raisa Celine Rosete served as the master of ceremonies. The virtual lecture was well-attended by 92 participants.
The 4-hour virtual lecture offered a carefully designed curriculum of relevant and comprehensive lectures that would equip its participants with the knowledge and skills essential for dermatologic surgery practice. Expert local and international speakers in the field of dermatology, dermatologic surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery and otorhinolaryngology were invited to ensure a multidisciplinary approach in the discussion of the lectures. The lectures were as follows: Surgical Anatomy of the Face & Neck, Pre-operative Assessment, Instrumentation & Materials, Antibiotic Prophylaxis, Asepsis & Antisepsis Techniques, Anesthesia: Regional & Local Blocks, Basics of Excisional Surgery, Hemostasis, Wound Healing, Wound Care and Dressings, Post-operative Complications and How to Manage Them, Laser Scar Revision, and Multiple Technique Approach Improve Surgical Scar.
The ensuing workshop in a full face-to-face format was held the following day at the Dermatology Conference Room with a total of 51 registered participants. Real-time and interactive live demonstrations of the different suture techniques supplemented by instructional videos were shown to the participants. Correct practices, indications, advantages & disadvantages of each technique were also discussed. These were followed by a supervised return demonstration by our pool of proctors including Dr. Zharlah A. Gulmatico-Flores, Dr. Ma. Cricelda Rescober-Valencia, Dr. Ma. Christina B. Gulfan, Dr. Marie Claudine Francesca Perlas, Dr. Raisa Celine R. Rosete, Dr. Katrina D. Olitoquit and Dr. Melissa Rinne V. See. At the end of the workshop, Dr. Ma. Christina B. Gulfan gave her closing remarks. Truly, the participants were very active since for most, this was the first time since the pandemic that they engaged in an actual, face-to-face medical enrichment activity.
We would like to convey our warmest and sincerest gratitude to all our speakers, participants, consultants, and residents who helped bring this truly unique educational activity to success!
