Media opportunity. Afternoon of Thursday 18 July by arrangement with Press Officer.
Photo opportunity 2.30pm, Friday 19 July, Surgical Skills Unit, Medical School, level 5, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee.
Virtual reality images of body organs and computer simulated surgery will be on display at the opening of the newly refurbished and extended Surgical Skills Unit at the University of Dundee this week. The Unit will be formally opened by the Right Honourable Malcolm Chisholm, Minister for health and community care.
The world renowned Surgical Skills Unit led by Professor Sir Alfred Cuschieri opens its doors to invited guests on Friday 19 July to mark the completion of new accommodation. With over £250,000 funding from the Robertson Trust, the Gannochy Trust, the Hugh Frazer Foundation and Karl Storz, the unit has purchased computer simulation equipment for training surgeons installed in custom-built accommodation.
Video relaying allows the transmission of live operations from a variety of locations for viewing at several locations in the new accommodation. Training surgeons can practise similar techniques on computer simulation before and after watching the operation being performed. This watch and practise method reinforces what they learn in the Unit - in keeping with the principle of reflective surgical practice. This equipment has the capability to transmit operations from hospitals all over the world by a secure link. The second room will house IT workstations, library materials and video viewing facilities for the training surgeons.
One of the most useful elements of this new simulation equipment is that it provides surgeons with detailed feedback on their performance so they know their strengths and weaknesses and where they should improve. The computer gives the surgeon a personal assessment on his/her speed, accuracy and economy of movement.
This new equipment and extended teaching facilities will allow more surgeons to practise and refine their surgical technique. Sir Alfred Cuschieri, Director of the Surgical Skills Unit said: "Previously surgeons had one chance to get their operation right - an d that was when they were operating. Now, the synthetic models that we make in our lab, and more recently with computer simulation, surgeons are able to rehearse the operation time and again so when they get to the operating table, their technique is near perfect. With the courses we offer, surgeons can become experts of their art before they reach the patient. We aim to make surgical intervention as safe as possible. We teach the safest techniques to minimise risk to patients."
Another skill the doctors learn to perfect is flexible endoscopy. Surgeons use a flexible endoscope and practise guiding it into the body with a computer simulator. They watch an image of the colon on a screen projected from a camera inside the endoscope to see where they are going. The computer also simulates the patient's reaction to this procedure so the surgeon can learn the best path that causes least discomfort.
One further innovation is to video record a dummy operation so the surgeon can assess his performance and identify how this could be improved.
Notes for Editors
The Surgical skills Unit at the University of Dundee opened in 1992
offering the most comprehensive and innovative range of training in the
country.
Most of the courses run in the Surgical Skills Unit carry the recognition of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh.
The Surgical Skills Unit attracts over 300 surgeons from all over the world every year to the University of Dundee to take courses in surgical skills. The unit runs courses in a wide range of specialities including laparoscopic, general surgical, orthopaedic, paediatric, gynaecological and ENT surgery in addition to gastroenterology. Nine postgraduates are currently training in the unit in minimal access surgery which Sir Alfred Cuschieri pioneered.
Friday also marks the merger of the Orthopaedic and Surgical Skills Units at the University of Dundee.