15TH INTERNATIONAL MASTER COURSE IN PHLEBOLOGY, Riga (Latvia), November 24-25, 2017

Dear colleagues and friends!

On behalf of the Baltic Society of Phlebology I have the honour to invite you to Riga for the 15th International Master Course of Phlebology. The proposed event will be dedicated to the current endovascular techniques in treatment of venous diseases. The Master Course will focus on the most important aspects of the endovenous ablation, such as the distance from the deep vein were the ablation of the target vein is started, as well as the technologies and methods, covering a variety of topical subjects, starting from the endovenous ablation of saphenous veins and their superficial tributaries, to sclerotherapy of residual tributaries after the endovenous ablation in order to achieve the best possible functional and aesthetical results with minimal risk of complications and further side effects.

The Baltic Society of Phlebology are delighted and honoured that the faculty of the 15th International Master Course of Phlebology will be composed of high-level professionals acknowledged all over the world, such as the Dr. Johann Chris Ragg (Germany), Dr. Petar Dragic (Serbia) and Dr. Frantisek Zernovicky Jr. (Slovakia).

Dr. Johann Chris Ragg (Germany) started to work on vascular diseases at Charité University Clinic Berlin in 1990, covering angiology and interventional radiology. To unite all vascular disciplines he founded a private vascular facilities in 2000. Instead of academic merits, the explicit aim of the Dr. Ragg was the technical development, clinical progress and patient comfort. Dr. Ragg’s units were one of the first in Europe to specialize in endovenous procedures.

Dr. Petar Dragic (Serbia) has performed more than 8000 laser vein operations, received numerous awards in international congresses and worked in several different countries. He is a narrowly specialized surgeon in the field of varicose vein problems and vein aesthetics. Even more, he is considered to be one of pioneers in preforming laser vein operations. Dr. Dragic has founded four clinics, located in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Podgorica and Banja Luka which exclusively specializes in laser vein operations and vein aesthetics.

Dr. Frantisek Zernovicky Jr. (Slovakia) is a vascular surgeon in the department of the vascular surgery in national institute for cardiovascular diseases. He has performed more than 4000 different vein ablations - RFA, Laser, Glue, MOCA. The main aim of Dr. Zernovicky is to select the optimal procedure for every patient, as well as to develop the best possible protocol for the particular device. Dr. Zernovicky has taken the role of the faculty member in over 50 different international workshops specialising in mini-invasive venous surgery (RFA, Glue, Duplex guided foam sclerotherapy).

The aforementioned review of the background of the international board of faculty provides the participants with an opportunity to learn about the most accurate and up-to-date techniques in the field of the endovascular therapies of venous diseases from the world’s leading physicians specializing in the care of the varicose veins.

The two-day workshop will focus on the latest techniques: thermal and non-thermal ablation, as well as provide “tips and tricks” for the successful treatment of vein problems.

The emphasis will be put on the learning efficiency by forming smaller groups of participants to ensure more opportunities for questions and further discussions.
On behalf of the Baltic Society of Phlebology I am looking forward to seeing you during the 15th International Master Course in Phlebology and welcoming you in Riga.

Prof. Dr. Uldis Maurins, MD
President of the Baltic Society of Phlebology