Learning and optimising minimally invasive techniques by operating on embalmed human corpses

The expansion of minimally invasive surgery worldwide provokes an intensive interest of all surgical disciplines in gaining possibilities for research , learning and teaching by operating on human corpses. Despite the fact tha t German anatomical institutes in general have the infrastructure to realis e such clinical cooperations, at present they may offer such opportunities only to a restricted degree, since the concentration on student teaching an d anatomic research limits the capacity of the staff for a commitment in th is field of applied science. To provide a basis for future estimations of t he efforts necessary to perform solo surgery on the human cadaver, especial ly with emphasis on research, quality control and teaching, this article re ports on practical experiences with such a project named "ANAtoMIC", identi fying minimal conditions which have to be realised.