Training at KMU: Meal

There is a very attractive cafeteria for clinical staff on the 12th floor of the Kanazawa University Hospital. The personnel of the cafeteria are always kind, friendly and helpful. The food is healthy, wholesome, low-calorie, delicious and mouth-watering.

View from the window on the 12th floor 

Mmm... delicious

Fish and ...chips...of course Rice! And Miso-soup.

Japanese lunch

One more

And more

And more...

Training at KMU: Environment

I'm accommodated at the Dormitory of Kanazawa Medical University. My apartment is located on the 9th floor of the 9 storey building.

Dormitory

It's a well-equipped comfortable single room with a small kitchen and a bath/wc. An air-conditioner, a TV set, a washing-machine, a cooker, an air funnel, a fridge, a microwave oven, an electric kettle and a toaster are availible.

My room

 

Kitchen

A view from my window: Japanese Sea

Training at KMU: Hands-on Training on Ex-vivo Pig Stomachs

Within the framework of the endoscopy training course at Kanazawa Medical University the Hands-on training on ex-vivo pig stomachs was held under the guidance of Professor Tohru Itoh on January 21, 2011 on the base of the Endoscopy Department. It was devoted to advanced therapeutic technologies in GI endoscopy. The highlight of the hands-on training was ESD (Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection) technique.

The ESD technique introduced by Hirao et al[1] has subsequently been modified by several investigators, allowing curative en bloc resection of broad superficial tumors with the use of special cutting knives.

A dedicated gastroscope (Olympus® EVIS LUCERA video gastroscope GIF-Q260J), electric ESD knives (IT-knife and Hook-knife Olympus®), and an Erbe electric generator were employed.

           According to Professor Tohru Itoh the base ESD technique includes:

A total of 2 ESDs of “target lesions” on a healthy mucosa were performed using the following technique described. All target lesions were located in the upper body great curvature of the stomach. Resection specimens ranged from 1 to 2 cm in length (median: 1,5 cm). ESD duration ranged from 40 to 60 minutes (median: 50 minutes). ESD could be completed in all cases (technical success: 2/2 = 100%).

The base ESD technique is an extremely significant therapeutic method for the treatment of the early GI cancer. The practical experience gained by me is unique and will be used in future professional career as an Endoscopist.

 

Training model - ex-vivo harvested pig stomach

From right to left: Professor Tohru Itoh, Dr. Gvozdev, Dr. Kitakata

From right to left: Dr. Hamada, Dr. Kawaura, Professor Tohru Itoh, Dr. Gvozdev, Dr. Kitakata

Endoscopy Training at Kanazawa Medical University

I'm studying abroad for the first time in my life. Fantastically, it is taking place at Kanazawa Medical University, Kanazawa, Japan. The training course is aimed at advanced therapeutic technologies in GI endoscopy. The training course is to last for 2 months. 
It is an open secret that modern GI endoscopy, especially diagnostics and treatment of an early GI cancer, originate from Japan. A "Japanese style" endoscopy implies precise diagnostics of minor and minute mucosal changes. 

Professor Tohru Itoh, the Head of the Endoscopy Department at Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan is the tutor of my training course. The course started on January 5, 2011. 
And by the way, on January 9, 2011, I turned 30. It was a very significant event in my life.
 
Every day, except Sunday, I'm at my desk from 8.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. Of course I have lunch-time, but sometimes I don't have time for lunch breaks, especially on Tuesday and Thursday (these are the busiest days). 
My duty is to observe all endoscopic examinations and operations as well as read scientific literature and do sketches. I find the "Japanese style" endoscopy exemplary because it's congenial to me in it's essence and in everyday clinical practice we (I mean all the doctors of the Endoscopy dept at Yaroslavl Cancer Hospital) follow the same principles. 
I do believe that such courses are a very good opportunity for acquiring new knowledge and expertise for ESD professionals.

Kanazawa University Hospital 

Dr. Gvozdev Alexey

A View of the Chinese garden-house from the Window

From right to left: Professor Tohru Itoh (Head of the Endoscopy Department), Professor Koichi Yamashita (Chairman, Board of Directors, Kanazawa Medical University), Dr. Gvozdev Alexey.