title: A Multispecialty Evaluation of Thiel Cadavers for Surgical Training.
abstract: Changes in UK legislation allow for surgical procedures to be performed on cadavers. The aim of this study was to assess Thiel cadavers as high-fidelity simulators and to examine their suitability for surgical training.
  
  
  
  Surgeons from various specialties were invited to attend a 1 day dissection workshop using Thiel cadavers. The surgeons completed a baseline questionnaire on cadaveric simulation. At the end of the workshop, they completed a similar questionnaire based on their experience with Thiel cadavers. Comparing the answers in the pre- and post-workshop questionnaires assessed whether using Thiel cadavers had changed the surgeons' opinions of cadaveric simulation.
  
  
  
  According to the 27 participants, simulation is important for surgical training and a full-procedure model is beneficial for all levels of training. Currently, there is dissatisfaction with existing models and a need for high-fidelity alternatives. After the workshop, surgeons concluded that Thiel cadavers are suitable for surgical simulation (p = 0.015). Thiel were found to be realistic (p < 0.001) to have reduced odour (p = 0.002) and be more cost-effective (p = 0.003). Ethical constraints were considered to be small.
  
  
  
  Thiel cadavers are suitable for training in most surgical specialties.
authors.affiliation: The John Goligher Academic Surgical Unit, St. James University Hospital, Level 7, Clinical Science Building, Beckett Str., Leeds, YSW, LS9 7TF, UK.|School of Surgery, Health Education, Yorkshire and the Humber, Willow Terrace, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yiasemidou
authors.affiliation: Division of Anatomy, Leeds Institute of Medical Education, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: School of Surgery, Health Education, Yorkshire and the Humber, Willow Terrace, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Glassman
authors.affiliation: School of Surgery, Health Education, Yorkshire and the Humber, Willow Terrace, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tomlinson
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, St James University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK.
authors.forename: Shekhar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biyani
authors.affiliation: The John Goligher Academic Surgical Unit, St. James University Hospital, Level 7, Clinical Science Building, Beckett Str., Leeds, YSW, LS9 7TF, UK. D.Miskovic@leeds.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Miskovic
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection; D004615:Embalming; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000066908:Simulation Training / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods*; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000193:education*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires