Surgical training in gynecological oncology using soft-embalmed human cadavers: first pilot study

Gynecological oncology requires a high level of surgical expertise. Therefore, new options for realistic surgical training for complex surgical procedures are required. This study aimed to determine how the trainees and experts perceive the use of soft-embalmed cadavers and how realistic it is compared to training on living patients.

A 2-day hands-on workshop was conducted. Eight trainees were able to practice laparoscopic and open surgical skills on four soft-embalmed cadavers. The training was carried out under the supervision of four gynecological oncology experts, one uro-oncological expert in complication management, and one expert in clinical anatomy. The feedback from trainees and experts was assessed using a structured questionnaire on a 5-point Likert scale. All the procedures were performed in a fully equipped surgical environment and complied with the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki.

The trainees assessed the anatomical and manipulative characteristics of the soft-embalmed cadavers as similar to real conditions. Color and consistency hardly differed from those of the live patients. The trainees stated that soft-embalmed cadavers were beneficial for learning and increased their self-confidence. In terms of realism, all surgical steps were rated a median of 4 out of 5 or higher on a Likert scale by both trainees and experts.

The use of soft-embalmed cadavers for training was perceived positively by trainees and experts. The evaluation results showed a high degree of realism compared with training on living patients. Hands-on training on soft-embalmed cadavers offers great potential as a new training method for surgical skills in gynecological oncology.