A novel program of cadaver surgical training for young surgeons at the Clinical Anatomy Laboratory Nagoya (CALNA).

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a cadaver surgical training program at the Clinical Anatomy Laboratory Nagoya (CALNA), focusing on its impact on procedural skills, confidence, and anatomical understanding among young and mid-career thoracic surgeons.

Methods: From 2016 to 2024, 13 cadaver surgical training sessions were conducted, divided into basic, advanced, and specialized courses. The program included hands-on practice using cadavers preserved with Thiel or hypertonic saline methods. The surveys were administered post-training to assess confidence, satisfaction, and practical applicability. Statistical analysis was performed on the survey results.

Results: A total of 100 participants attended the training sessions (mean: 12.5/session). The survey responses indicated that 92% of participants rated the training content as "good" or "excellent," and 88% found the training "applicable" or "highly applicable" to clinical practice. Reflective discussions following each session facilitated iterative program refinement. The key improvements included enhanced surgical instrument availability and optimized trainee-to-instructor ratios.

Conclusions: Our cadaver surgical training program was shown to significantly enhance surgical skills, boost confidence, and deepen thoracic anatomical understanding, demonstrating its value in advancing thoracic surgical education. Further development of standardized programs across institutions is needed to enable novice surgeons to acquire advanced skills efficiently.