Masterclass on Living Related Liver Transplantation, successfully conducted

Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Hospital (MGMCH), located in Jaipur, Rajasthan, has made significant strides in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology.

Under the umbrella of the Centre for Digestive Sciences (CfDS), MGMCH houses four independent departments specializing in Medical and Surgical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, as well as HPB Surgery and a Liver Transplant Unit. This unique distinction has solidified MGMCH’s position as a leading institution in the region.

To further enhance medical education and knowledge sharing, the Jaipur Surgical Tutorial (JST), a free online education portal of CfDS, has recently launched a monthly online Masterclass series.

The inaugural Masterclass, which took place on the 22nd and 23rd of June 2023, focused on the topic of Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT). This comprehensive program consisted of two two-hour sessions.

Dr. Sonal Asthana, President of the Liver Transplant Society of India (LTSI) and affiliated with Aster Bengaluru, had the honor of inaugurating the Masterclass. Renowned medical professionals, including VK Kapoor from Jaipur, former faculty members of Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) such as VA Saraswat and Sadiq S Sikora, and esteemed alumni from the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology (SGE) of SGPGIMS like Ajay Sharma, Amit Rastogi, Biju Pottakkat, Jayanth Reddy, Palat Balachandran Menon, Paari Vijayaragavan, Peeyush Varshney, Ravula Phani Krishna, RV Raghvendra Rao, Shaleen Agrawal, and TD Yadav, served as chairpersons and speakers during the Masterclass. Lead questioners Ajit Mishra, Ashish Bansal, and Kanwal Jeet Singh added valuable insights to the discussions.

Despite time differences and prior commitments, the Masterclass garnered significant attention and interest. A total of 476 registrations were received from over 20 countries, including Algeria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Kenya, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, the UAE, UK, and the USA. The participants comprised of MCh/DNB-SS (60%) and MS/DNB (35%) students specializing in SGE (53%), HPB Surgery (18%), and General Surgery (27%).

The Masterclass witnessed a maximum of 110 attendees on the first day and 76 attendees on the second day. To ensure wider accessibility, the proceedings were live-streamed on YouTube, with Day 1 reaching 420 views (https://youtube.com/live/DbENqhCc95o) and Day 2 accumulating 140 views (https://youtube.com/live/m_h-PzgK_no). The engagement and active participation throughout the Masterclass demonstrated the thirst for knowledge and the effectiveness of online platforms in disseminating medical education.

Technical support for JST and its successful execution was provided by Dr Avinash Tank, an alumnus of the SGE department at SGPGIMS, currently based in Ahmedabad.

The Masterclass on Living Donor Liver Transplant conducted by JST proved to be a remarkable educational opportunity, drawing participants from various corners of the globe and showcasing the commitment of MGMCH and CfDS to advancing medical education and sharing expertise in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology.