Surgery of the Brain and Spinal Cord in a Porcine Model

Abstract

Working time restrictions and economic pressure hinder surgical specialties to implement an adequate and structured training program. Alternative training forms seem to be requested in which a most realistic setup is required imitating the daily routine. An in vivo swine model was evaluated for its practical use in training neurosurgical residents in the past years (Regelsberger et al. Cen Eur Neurosurg 72:192–195, 2010 [2]). Surgical procedures included craniotomy, dura opening, brain surgery with sulcal preparation, and excision of an artificial tumor as well as laminectomy or other dorsal approaches to the spine with exposure of the dural sack and nerve roots. Microscopy and bleeding management were an integrated part of training and were found to be very useful supplements for young neurosurgeons. Our experiences with these unique in vivo training model are outlined and its advantages and pitfalls described.