Comprehensive Overview of Surgical Skills Training and Simulation Courses

The MRCS Part B Simulation Course has been upgraded to a two-day course to better prepare candidates for professional examination. Day 1 focused on the main topics of the Exam Syllabus, tips, suggestions and group revision. Participants were able to complete several scenarios, with subsequent group feedback provided. Day 2 was in the format of OSCE, simulating the exact exam conditions. Feedback was provided thereafter. We hold this course 3 times a year, before each exam sitting.

Participants have described the experience as having “Full OSCE practice, Excellent examiners and actors.” Others noted the “Knowledgeable staff. Good exam technique skills,” and appreciated the “Very relaxed/informal environment that I felt comfortable in. Very knowledgeable faculty. Valuable advice and info delivered concisely and clearly.”

Specialized Hands-on Teaching Sessions

Chest Drain Course

The Chest Drain course is a half-day hands-on teaching session. The program include:

• Indications for chest drain insertion
• British Thoracic Surgery Guidelines
• Complications of chest drains
• Management of chest drains
• Seldinger chest drain insertion
• Surgical chest drain insertion

As noted by attendees, “It was the perfect balance of knowledge and practical skills – very interactive. I learned a lot.”

Bowel Anastomosis and Thoracoscopic Skills

The Bowel Anastomosis Course is a full-day hands-on and wet lab training session. This is our first successful collaboration with Ethicon. The program include:

• Principles of GI Anastomosis and the Management of anastomotic complications
• Practical sessions: Pedicle Ligation and Transfixion
• Hand-sewn Ileo-colic anastomosis and Stapled Ileo-colic anastomosis
• Hand-sewn Colo-rectal anastomosis and Stapled Colo-rectal anastomosis

In addition to this, the Thoracoscopic Surgical Skills is a full-day hands-on course, in collaboration with Ethicon. The program covered VATS Basic Skills, Anatomical and Non-anatomical lung resections, and resection of pulmonary artery/vein and bronchus.

Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgical Training

The Basic Laparoscopic Skills course is a half-day hands-on teaching session. The program include the Basic principles of Laparoscopic Surgery (Depth cueing, Fulcrum effect, Dexterity). Practical sessions cover basic skills such as sugar cubes, peas in a pot, and polos on a string, as well as advanced skills including laparoscopic circular cutting and laparoscopic knot tying.

Regarding robotic training, the ALSGBI Basic Robotic Surgical Skills Course provides access to a Robotic Driving Licence & Robotic Basic Skills Resources, including the Robotic Skills Manual (Da Vinci systems).

Multi-Surgical Specialty Taster WetLab

The Multi-Surgical Specialty Taster WetLab is a full-day, hands-on surgical skills course to give attendees a flavour of different surgical specialities and their techniques. The program included:

• Urology: scrotal fixation and penile circumcision
• Vascular: aortic anastomosis and a patch repair
• Orthopaedics: bone fixation
• General surgery: bowel anastomosis and laparoscopic skills

Basic Surgical Skills Program Details

The Surgical Skills course is a half-day, hands-on and wet lab teaching session. The program include:

• Handling surgical instruments (Scissors, haemostats, needle holder, forceps and scalpel)
• Knots (reef knot, surgeon’s knot, instrument tie and tying at depth)
• Suturing techniques (Interrupted sutures, mattress sutures, subcuticular sutures)
• Removal of skin lesion (WET LAB) and Removal of sebaceous cyst (WET LAB)

Summary of Course Frequency and Historical Dates

• MRCS Part B Simulation: Held 3 times a year (September, January, April).
• Chest Drain Course: Recurring sessions (Previous Dates: 10/02/2024, 27/07/2024, 28/09/2024, 19/10/24).
• Basic Surgical Skills Course (BSSC): Organized by Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, providing 8 CME Hours.