Pancreaticoduodenectomy on soft-embalmed human cadavers according to Dodge – a pilot feasibility report

TL;DR

This paper explores using soft-embalmed cadavers to train surgeons in pancreaticoduodenectomy, finding it offers a realistic and feasible alternative to live patient training.

Contribution

The study demonstrates the feasibility of using Dodge-preserved cadavers for realistic pancreatic surgery training.

Findings

Pancreaticoduodenectomy was successfully performed on soft-embalmed cadavers with realistic surgical conditions.

The cadavers provided good color contrast and visible tissue layers, enhancing the realism of the procedure.

Expert feedback confirmed the method's potential for surgical training.

Abstract

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is one of the most complex procedures in abdominal surgery. Nowadays, it is very difficult for novice surgeons to learn the procedure of PD on living patients. New concepts are needed to improve the surgical training of PD, comparable to education in the operating room.

We investigated the feasibility of performing PD on a soft embalmed human cadaver using the Dodge preservation technique, considering all operative steps. Surgery was performed by a certified expert. The settings corresponded to the conditions of the operating room with the original surgical instruments and sutures. Upon completion of the PD, feedback in the form of a comprehensive questionnaire was obtained from the expert by evaluating all relevant operational steps in terms of realism using a 5 point Likert scale.

PD was performed successfully by the expert. The results showed very good feasibility for PD on the used Dodge embalmed cadaver (DeC). The expert confirmed a realistic surgical performance similar to real-life conditions, with good color contrast, clearly visible tissue layers for a layered preparation, and a great result for the reconstruction part of the anastomoses.

New educational methods are needed to improve surgical training of PD. Hands-on training of PD performed on DeC enables a realistic surgical experience and offers a promising educational method for training in pancreatic surgery.

•Pancreaticoduodenectomy is one of the most complex procedures in abdominal surgery.•New concepts are needed to improve surgical training of pancreaticoduodenectomy.•Pancreaticoduodenectomy on Dodge's soft-embalmed human cadavers enable a realistic surgical experience.•Dodge's soft embalmed cadavers offer an excellent opportunity for surgical training of pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy is one of the most complex procedures in abdominal surgery.

New concepts are needed to improve surgical training of pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy on Dodge's soft-embalmed human cadavers enable a realistic surgical experience.

Dodge's soft embalmed cadavers offer an excellent opportunity for surgical training of pancreaticoduodenectomy.

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