Cadaver Lab Education in Surgical Residency

Cadaver labs are a unique and invaluable resource, providing medical students with a high-level learning environment for developing anatomical knowledge and achieving an exceptional level of proficiency. These labs are typically maintained by medical schools exclusively for the purpose of teaching medical students. In contrast, surgical residents often lack access to cadaver labs, despite their critical need to develop advanced anatomical understanding and manual skills essential for daily clinical practice. In this opinion article, we propose expanding the use of cadaver labs to include routine integration within surgical residency training programs. We present a framework that incorporates cadaver lab training throughout different stages of residency, from specialty-specific anatomy education to advanced procedural and surgical rehearsal. We also highlight their potential to facilitate surgical innovation and research. We argue that this broader integration could significantly enhance surgical education while maximizing the educational and scientific value of these costly resources.