Orthopaedic Surgical Skills Lab

Established in 2014, the Orthopaedic Surgical Skills Laboratory affords residents the opportunity to practice basic and advanced surgical motor skills in a simulated environment. The laboratory was funded by grants from the Diveley Resident Education Fund at Saint Luke’s Hospital Foundation and Children’s Mercy Hospital.

The lab is equipped with a full range of skills simulators specific to orthopaedic surgery. During the PGY-1 year, residents complete 17 basic surgical skills modules, as suggested by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. These modules have been integrated into intern orientation and residents have protected time to complete them.

The laboratory is open to all residents 24 hours per day, seven days per week with key-card access.

Equipment

ABOS/AANA/AAOS Fast System

The lab also has two complete Fundamentals of Arthroscopic Surgery Training (FAST) systems allowing simulated arthroscopic skills that build hand-eye coordination for arthroscopic surgery. A laptop is included, which functions as a camera and light source, a 30° scope, all eight FAST modules and a FAST knot tester.

Orthopaedic trauma

The lab houses several orthopaedic implant tools for residents to become familiar with and to practice proper technique. These include two complete Stryker operating room power hand pieces, a small fragment fixation set, external fixation set, traction bows and pins, Gardner-Wells tongs and K-wires. The lab is also equipped with a variety of simulated bones which can be used for tactile feedback.

Microsurgery

The lab is equipped to teach the basic principles of microsurgery using fine suture and latex tissue analog. Residents are provided surgical loops during their PGY-1 year for microsurgery training and surgery.

Joint injections

Joint injection models for shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles are available in the lab. There is also a compartment syndrome tester to develop the ability to correctly place a needle in each of the four compartments of the lower leg. A Stryker intra-compartmental pressure monitor is available to obtain accurate pressure readings.