Advanced cadaver-based educational seminar for trauma surgery using saturated salt solution-embalmed cadavers

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Anatomical Pathology
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Senior surgeons expressed interest in advanced trauma surgery training.
• Cadaver-based educational seminar for trauma surgery (CESTS) is a recognized training method.
• Previous seminars utilized formalin-fixed anatomical specimens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a 1-day advanced-CESTS using saturated salt solution (SSS)-embalmed cadavers for surgical skills training (SST).
• To evaluate participant confidence in advanced surgical skills before, immediately after, and six months after the seminar.
• To compare the suitability of SSS-embalmed versus formalin-solution-embalmed (FAS) cadavers for SST.

Main Methods:

• Three advanced-CESTS seminars were conducted between September 2015 and January 2018.
• Participants (n=43) underwent training in lung, liver, abdominal aorta, and pelvis/extremity procedures.
• A 10-point self-assessment of confidence levels (SACL) questionnaire was administered at three time points; cadaver embalming methods were also evaluated.

Main Results:

• SACL scores significantly increased for all skills immediately after the seminar.
• SACL scores generally decreased by six months post-seminar but remained elevated compared to baseline, except for pelvic fracture external fixation.
• SSS-embalmed cadavers were rated as more suitable for SST than FAS-embalmed cadavers.

Conclusions:

• Advanced-CESTS utilizing SSS-embalmed cadavers enhance self-confidence in surgical skills.
• The observed increase in confidence is largely maintained six months post-training.
• SSS-embalmed cadavers are a valuable resource for surgical skills training, particularly for complex repairs.