Live shoulder replacement surgery
What it’s like to perform live shoulder replacement surgery in front of an audience
- Sven Goebel
Table of Contents
Live shoulder replacement surgery
A routine operation, but not a routine setting
In June 2025, I was invited to perform a live shoulder replacement at the Annecy International Shoulder Course in France. This event brings together some of the world’s leading shoulder surgeons, all operating in real-time with a live audience of their peers watching, learning, and asking questions.
Over three days, 35 operations were performed by 30 different surgeons, including myself. Each case was streamed to the audience in detail, with microphones on, commentary given and sometimes curly questions asked, and no room for error.
It’s an incredible event but not your average day in the operating theatre.
Live shoulder replacement surgery
The surgery I performed was a computer-navigated reverse shoulder replacement, a procedure I perform routinely here in Perth. But doing it live, in a different country, with a team I had never worked with before, added extra complexity.
There were also language barriers to manage, cameras in the operating theatre, and a microphone clipped on while I worked. I was explaining what I was doing at the same time as managing the team and answering questions from the panel as I performed the procedure.
All of that changes the flow. You have to stay focused, stay calm, and keep explaining what you’re doing while delivering the same precision you would in any other operating room.
Why live surgery matters
This kind of event isn’t just about showcasing skill, it’s about sharing knowledge. Not all orthopaedic surgeons around the world have access to the same advanced techniques or technology.
The goal in Annecy, France, was to demonstrate modern shoulder procedures, explain the reasoning behind every step, and help others see how things can be done differently.
Live shoulder replacement surgery gives attending surgeons a rare opportunity to see complex procedures unfold in real time not just in theory, but in practice. It’s an honest, unfiltered way to learn.
Shoulder surgeon Perth
Honouring my training and giving back
The Annecy event has a special meaning for me. Years ago, I trained with Dr Laurent Lafosse in France, one of the true pioneers of arthroscopic shoulder surgery. He helped shape the way I work today.
Now the course is led by his son, Dr Thibault Lafosse, who continues that legacy. Being invited back, not as a trainee but as one of the surgeons on the distinguished faculty, was both humbling and rewarding.
This wasn’t about being in the spotlight; it was about sharing techniques, exchanging ideas, and contributing to better outcomes for patients around the world.
It was also a good reminder of why I enjoy this work so much. Even after thousands of shoulder surgeries, there’s always something to learn, refine, and pass on.
Want to know more about shoulder surgery in Perth?
If you’re not sure what’s causing your symptoms, or you’ve been advised that shoulder surgery may be an option, this page explains common procedures, how decisions are made, and what recovery timelines can look like.