Surgical Simulation

Innovation in Surgical Education

The Center for Surgical Innovation (CSI), which officially opened in the spring of 2006, is a 3,700 square foot, state-of-the-art core facility that provides unique opportunities for evaluating and validating medical and surgical technologies and supporting training and education. This multipurpose facility continues to develop mutually beneficial collaborations with academic and industrial partners. CSI also has partnered with a number of innovative companies to evaluate and validate technologies and processes in the laboratory environment.

The Edward Woliver Laboratory for Simulation and Education in Surgery includes an array of simulation equipment designed to let surgical residents practice new skills in a safe, faculty-mentored environment outside the operating room. The lab has both low- and high-tech simulation equipment, including simple models to simulate suturing vessels. Other equipment in the Woliver Lab space includes:

Symbionix GI-Mentor Endoscopy Simulator
Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery Trainer Box, which is used to help surgeons practice laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery techniques and test learned skills
Two Mentice VIST mannequin simulators, which will allow residents and fellows to practice inserting catheters, use fluoroscopy (moving X-ray images) to monitor the catheter as it travels up through the body and learn sophisticated manipulations of blood vessels.

Surgical Simulation Experiences:

Surgical Stapling 101
Introduction to General Surgery
Hernia Anatomy
Introduction to Laparoscopy
Advanced Laparoscopy
Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery Course
DaVinci Robot Training
Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)
Trauma Surgery Simulation
Vascular Anatomy
GI Anastomosis
GI Surgery Simulation
Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery
Laparoscopic Colectomy

University of Cincinnati: Surgery

The UC Department of Surgery recently adopted the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) course to train and evaluate senior residents, fellows, and other surgeons in the basic skills of minimally invasive surgery. The testing is conducted in the Woliver Lab. The FLS course is an education and skills training module developed by the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and the American College of Surgeons Division of Education and is rapidly becoming the standard of evaluating basic skills and knowledge for laparoscopy. The course is CME accredited.

The course has two components: (1) a cognitive part designed to teach the basics of laparoscopic surgery, and (2) a set of technical skills to master. It includes several sets of DVDs and a trainer box to allow practice of manual skills. The FLS course is designed to teach the physiology, fundamental knowledge, and technical skills required in basic laparoscopic surgery and to assess cognitive knowledge and manual skills through a two-part, proctored exam. The cognitive component is a timed, multiple-choice exam administered via computer. The manual skills component is a timed, hands-on skills exam administered via the FLS Laparoscopic Trainer Box. FLS provides feedback on performance of both cognitive and technical abilities, and permits learning of minimally invasive techniques in a completely safe environment without putting patients at risk.

The Laparoscopic Trainer Box enables development of psychomotor skills and dexterity required during the performance of basic laparoscopic surgery. It is a portable unit that can be used in the environment of choice. The Trainer Box includes a set of accessories used to simulate specific surgical techniques. The Manual Skills Set test includes Peg Transfer, Precision cutting, Placement and securing of ligating loop, Simple suture with intracorporeal knot, and Simple suture with extracorporeal knot.