Minimally Invasive Gynecology as a Standard: A New Generation of Specialists Trains at “Heart and Brain”
The center of clinical excellence is a full member and training center of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE), certified under the GESEA program following a several-month accreditation cycle.
High-quality training in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery requires not only technical skills, but also a clear concept, consistency, and mentorship. These principles formed the foundation of the latest GESEA (Gynaecological Endoscopic Surgical Education and Assessment) course – “Fundamentals of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery,” held at the training center of the high-tech hospital complex “Heart and Brain” in Pleven.
The course brought together medical students, residents, and young specialists for whom minimally invasive approaches are becoming a standard in their daily clinical practice. The program was structured to provide a solid foundation—from theoretical principles to focused practical improvement of basic laparoscopic and hysteroscopic techniques.
The training was conducted under the leadership of Dr. Aleksandar Lyubenov, Director of the Clinical and Experimental Medicine Training Center (SIMLAB), with the active participation of Chief Mentor Dr. Atanas Aleksandrov and mentors Dr. Desislava Kiporova, Dr. Dobromir Andreev, and Dr. Ester Ilieva.
Working in small groups allowed for an individualized approach and direct feedback—key elements in developing surgical thinking and confidence. Special emphasis was placed on mastering laparoscopic suturing and knot-tying skills, which remain the gold standard in minimally invasive surgery and determine the quality and safety of every procedure.
As part of the practical module, participants also had the opportunity to observe live surgery, demonstrating the real-world application of the acquired techniques in core gynecologic procedures—from laparoscopic approaches to modern hysteroscopic methods.
The course once again reinforced the importance of structured training programs and teamwork in the development of young specialists – a long-standing mission of the OB/GYN team at “Heart and Brain,” who continue to establish minimally invasive gynecologic surgery as a standard of care in Bulgaria.
