Patna: A three-day Advanced Laparoscopic Hernia Fellowship (FALS) course concluded on Sunday at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, bringing together surgeons from across the country for intensive training in modern hernia management.
The course was jointly organised by the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology and Liver Transplant at IGIMS and the Indian Association of Gastro & Endo Surgeons (IAGES). Dr Manish Mandal, the course coordinator, said the final day marked the culmination of three days of academic sessions, live surgical demonstrations and examinations.
The programme began on January 9 with a full day of lectures and audio-visual presentations focusing on the laparoscopic surgical management of different types of hernia. Experts from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Kanpur, Jamshedpur and Ranchi participated, alongside faculty members from IGIMS and All India Institute of Medical Sciences Patna. A total of 25 lectures and panel discussions were held on the first day.
On the second day, participants attended live demonstrations of five different laparoscopic techniques used to treat various types of hernia. This was followed by video sessions on managing complications during laparoscopic hernia surgery, led by Dr Sarfaraz Ali Baig of Kolkata, who focused on practical skills required to address intraoperative challenges.
The final day featured an app-based online examination, in which 56 candidates appeared for multiple-choice tests. Those who qualify will be awarded fellowship degrees at the national convocation scheduled for February 15, 2026, in Mumbai. In addition, 24 participants in the non-examination category appeared for viva voce assessments and will also receive fellowship degrees at the February convocation.
External examiners included Dr Shivanshu Mishra of Kanpur, Dr Arunima of Jamshedpur and Dr Sarfaraz Ali Baig, while internal examiners comprised Dr Manish Mandal, Dr Priyaranjan, Dr Sanjay Sinha and Dr Amarjit Kumar Raj.
Dr Priyaranjan, the organising secretary of the fellowship course, said the initiative would have a direct impact on healthcare delivery in the state. “These trained surgeons will strengthen the surgical management of hernia at the peripheral level in Bihar, which will indirectly improve treatment outcomes in rural areas,” he said.
