Skills Training

The General Surgery Residency training program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center has an extensive surgical skills training program in place. This comprehensive skills training program consists of open surgical skills training, minimally invasive skills training, and simulation skills acquisition. 

Open Surgical Skills

The open surgical skills training is undertaken in the Advanced Anatomy laboratory that simulates the real operating room and uses lightly embalmed cadavers. The laboratory has the same instruments and equipment (ligasure, electocautery, staples, etc) that are used in the operating room. The lightly embalmed cadavers are different from the regular cadavers and closely resemble live tissue. Residents practice open surgical procedures appropriate for their level on these cadavers under Faculty guidance. The procedures are chosen from the list of Residency Review Committee (RRC) mandated operations that need to be undertaken during the residency. An average of 20 -25 sessions are conducted annually. 

Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques

Minimally invasive surgical techniques are taught in wet laboratory sessions using pigs. This includes teaching both laparoscopic, endoscopic and thoracoscopic procedures. In addition several sessions are available for residents to practice prior to taking the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic (FLS) Surgery exam. These training sessions ensure that the residents are kept abreast with the current and evolving new minimally invasive surgical techniques. The Sorrell simulation center also provides the opportunity to acquire skills training. 

Through this comprehensive skills training curriculum we aim to train residents to be technically proficient in all aspects and approaches to surgery.