Nikaidoh Procedure: The Wet Lab Trainee's Perspective

Congenital heart surgeons' training is complex and challenging. The learning curve is long and the increasing complexity of pathologies is demanding. In order to develop adequate surgical-skill competencies, "in vivo" and simulation-based practicing are paramount. Simulation can be performed either on a computer screen or animal hearts and prosthetic models. In this article, we illustrate a porcine Wet Lab simulation for the Nikaidoh operation to point out its potential advantage to learn complex congenital surgery procedures.