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 St. 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 the department’s core curriculum, and residents have protected time to complete them.
The laboratory is open to all residents 24 hours a day/7 days per week with key-card access.
Equipment
Arthoscopic Equipment
The lab is equipped with a capital equipment arthroscopic tower, which includes a camera, light source, arthroscopic shaver, and fluid pump. This setup allows “dry lab” experiences with models and the AANA FAST system, as well as the ability to perform arthroscopic procedures on cadaver specimens. The lab has both 30° and 70° arthroscopes available.
ABOS/AANA/AAOS FAST System
The lab also has 2 complete FAST (Fundamentals of Arthroscopic Surgery Training) systems allowing simulated arthroscopic skills that build hand-eye coordination for arthroscopic surgery. Included is a laptop, which functions as 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.
Operating Room Equipment
Residents can practice prepping, draping, casting, and suturing in the lab. The lab has an OR table and the availability of C-arm fluoroscopy.
Joint Injections
Available in the lab are joint injection models for shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles. 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.
