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Simulations for Surgical Training in Veterinary Medicine
Gustavo Castro-Colonia1, Ricardo Barreto-Mejía2, Lynda Tamayo-Arango3
1Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 75 No. 65-87, Medellín, Colombia.
Journal of Veterinary Medical Education
|October 14, 2025
Summary
Veterinary students can improve surgical skills using cadaver simulations for common procedures like aural hematomas and mass removals. However, complex surgeries like orchiectomies require better tissue preservation techniques for effective training.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Surgery
- Surgical Education
Background:
- Veterinary students face challenges in practical surgical skills due to limited curriculum space and ethical restrictions on animal use.
- Cadaver-based simulation offers a potential solution for hands-on surgical training in veterinary medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of cadaver simulation for teaching basic surgical techniques in veterinary medicine.
- To assess the suitability of canine and feline cadavers for simulating specific surgical procedures.
Main Methods:
- Simulations of aural hematomas, subcutaneous mass removals, and orchiectomies were performed on 11 canine and feline cadavers.
- Expert veterinary surgeons evaluated the simulations based on physical, mechanical, and organoleptic variables.
- Data were analyzed using multiple correspondence analysis.
Main Results:
- Cadaver simulation is a valuable tool for undergraduate veterinary surgical training.
- Simulations for aural hematoma and mass removal were rated highly in canine and feline cadavers.
- Orchiectomy simulations presented challenges due to tissue preservation and handling difficulties.
Conclusions:
- Cadaver simulation effectively enhances surgical training for specific procedures in veterinary education.
- Tissue characteristics like color and resistance are crucial for realistic and effective surgical simulations.
- Further refinement is needed for simulating complex procedures like orchiectomies to improve tissue preservation and handling.
