title: Novel simulation for training trauma surgeons.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clinical training in operative technique is important to boost self-confidence in residents in all surgical fields but particularly in trauma surgery. The fully trained trauma surgeon must be able to provide operative intervention for any injury encountered in practice. In this report, we describe a novel training model using a human cadaver in which circulation in the major vessels can be simulated to mimic traumatic injuries seen in clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen human cadavers were used for simulating various life-threatening traumatic injuries. The carotid and femoral arteries and the jugular and femoral vein were cannulated and connected to perfusate reservoirs. The arterial reservoir was connected to an intra-aortic balloon pump, which adds pulsatile flow through the heart and major arteries. Fully trained trauma surgeons evaluated the utility of this model for repairing various injuries in the thoracic and abdominal cavity involving the heart, lungs, liver, and major vessels while maintaining emergent airway control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surgeons reported that this perfused cadaver model allowed simulation of the critical challenges faced during operative trauma while familiarizing the student with the operative techniques and skills necessary to gain access and control of hemorrhage associated with major vascular injuries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this report, we describe a novel training model that simulates the life-threatening injuries that confront trauma surgeons. An alternative to living laboratory animals, this inexpensive and readily available model offers good educational value for the acquisition and refinement of surgical skills that are specific to trauma surgery.
authors.affiliation: Arkansas Neuroscience Institute, Saint Vincent Health System, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA. EAboud@stvincenthealth.com
authors.forename: Emad T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Aboud
authors.forename: Ali F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Krisht
authors.forename: Terence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Keeffe
authors.forename: Remi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nader
authors.forename: Moustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: C Melinda
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Fahd
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Fred A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Luchette
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D016544:Patient Simulation; D014194:Traumatology / Q000193:education*; D014481:United States