Surgical Skills Webinar
This webinar has been designed to address the strong demand for practical, skills-based learning raised by participants at the EACTS Next Generation 2024 Sessions. The session offers in-depth, high-quality video demonstrations and expert commentary to support pre-trainee members in building familiarity with the tools, techniques, and core competencies required in cardiothoracic surgery.
The webinar will walk participants through essential surgical skills, with a focus on visual learning. Key areas include a range of knot-tying techniques. Detailed instrument walk-throughs will cover both general and coronary setups, along with suture types, needle handling, and mounting techniques. Participants will also learn about various suturing styles (interrupted, continuous, subcuticular), as well as the placement of purse-string sutures for chest drains, cardioplegia, and cannulation. The session concludes with insights into conduit preparation, coronary opening and suturing techniques used in CABG.
This webinar is ideal for those looking to strengthen their theoretical understanding and visual recognition of core surgical practices, an excellent stepping stone towards future hands-on training!
| 10:00 | Welcome and Introductions |
| 10:10 | The Basic Concepts of Assisting in Cardio-Thoracic Surgery – Overview of operation theatre set-up, including cardio-pulmonary bypass – Place of the medical student in the OR – What makes a good surgical assistant in cardiac and thoracic surgery? – Technical considerations of median sternotomy, including anatomy. – Technical considerations of thoracotomy versus VATS |
| 11:10 | BREAK |
| 11:15 | Knot Tying and Suture Types – Basic Knot Tying: hand and instrument tie techniques. Tension distribution. Security of different knots. Impact of knot type on tissue healing. One hand, two hand and Aberdeen knot tying – Suture Types: Characteristics and applications of different suture materials (absorbable vs. non-absorbable) – Hands-on Practice |
| 12:00 | Instrument Handling and Suturing – Instrument Identification: Overview of key instruments used in cardiac surgery – Handling Techniques: Demonstrate correct grips and handling for efficiency and control and proper loading and manipulation of needles – Sharps Safety: Best practices for handling sharps to prevent injuries – Suture Skill: Simple suture, continuous suture and mattress Suture – Hands-on Practice |
| 13:00 | LUNCH |
| 13:30 | Chest Drains and Purse-String Sutures – Purse-String Sutures: Indications and techniques for securing drains and cannulae – Principles of Cannulation: Indications, techniques and location of cannula – Principles of Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Concise overview of CPB – Chest Drains: Indications, types, placement techniques, and complications |
| 14:15 | BREAK |
| 14:20 | Coronary Anastomose – Coronary Anatomy: Brief review of coronary artery anatomy and relevance to surgery – Anastomosis Techniques: Step-by-step demonstration of proximal and distal anastomosis using grafts – Hands-on Practice |
| 16:00 | CLOSE |
