The COVID-19 pandemic has not stopped surgical training within the Department of Surgery. Although adaptations are in place to ensure a COVID-safe training environment, our next generation of surgeon scientists are still learning, growing and innovating.

Last month, the department partnered with Intuitive, as well as BD Medical and Ethicon, to take full advantage of a mobile daVinci Xi system and SimNow simulator in educating over 80 residents, surgeons and faculty.  The one-day, robotic procedural skills training was specifically designed for junior general surgery trainees. General Surgery Residency Program Director Britney Corey, M.D., was thankful for the training opportunity.

“Even amid the pandemic, the need to train future leaders of academic surgery is still there, so it was great that we had this one-day skills training available for our junior residents,” said Corey. “Robotic surgery remains an important facet of our residents’ education here in the Department of Surgery.”

In addition to this, general surgery and subspecialty senior residents and fellows also were able to participate in various surgeon-led, focused skill sessions to refine operative techniques. Former General Surgery Residency Director John Porterfield, M.D., was thrilled with the outcome of the sessions.

“This could not have been possible without the tremendous investment by industry partners as well as Marjorie Lee White, M.D. and her team of the UAB Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Simulation Center, said Porterfield. “This model of training was a resounding success for us and an example for other institutions across the country to follow for years to come as we must adapt to educating residence despite these new pandemic threats.”

Below are session testimonials outlining the various trainings offered over the past month.

Thoracic Residents Course

“Our thoracic residents performed a simulation of pulmonary lobectomy at the mobile training even with Intuitive. We used porcine heart-lung blocks and were able to do a variety of lobectomies. The residents were able to make themselves even more familiar with the conduct of the operation, the use of robotic instruments, and the techniques of dissection in a low-pressure learning environment. I am grateful to Intuitive for making this valuable resource available to our trainees.” – Ben Wei, M.D., Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Director

MIS Fellows Course - Bariatrics

“MIS Fellow Dr. Boris Kiriazov and myself recently participated in the Intuitive robotic surgical training curriculum held at the UAB simulation center. Utilizing porcine stomach and intestinal tissue, Dr. Kiriazov was able to practice creation of an intracorporeal gastrointestinal anastomosis. This is a necessary component of gastric bypass surgery as well as other minimally invasive/robotic gastrointestinal operations. The model allowed us to experiment with different positions and angles of attack as well as improvement in technique. Dr. Kiriazov was also able to familiarize himself with some of the newer robotic surgery instruments and energy devices.” – Richard Stahl, M.D., Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship Director

Colorectal Chief Resident and Fellow Course

“We recently utilized a mobile Xi unit provided by Intuitive Surgical to do simulation training for our residents. All of the chief residents and Colorectal fellow were able to practice an intracorporeal anastomosis on porcine colon. I met with each resident individually and we did a video review to go over the steps involved in performing an intracorporeal anastomosis, and then they had the opportunity to practice these techniques by robotically performing it on porcine colon.” – Jamie Cannon, M.D., Colorectal Surgery Fellowship Director