Teaching anatomy with surgeons' tools: Use of the laparoscope in clinical anatomy

The purpose of this study was to establish the feasibility of laparoscopy i n embalmed cadavers to teach abdominal gross anatomy. One cadaver was selec ted based on body habitus and absence of previous abdominal operations. A s tandard trocar was used to enter the abdomen at the umbilicus. Two trocars were placed in the left upper quadrant. Pneumoperitoneum was achieved with continuous CO2 pressure. Liver retraction was achieved percutaneously, expo sing the porta hepatis and the gallbladder. The dissection was done with fo ur first-year medical students using standard laparoscopic equipment, Follo wing this, the demonstration was projected over multiple monitors so that a ll students could participate. Laparoscopic dissection in an embalmed cadav er is feasible and an excellent educational tool for both the medical stude nt and the dissector. The dissector has the opportunity to manipulate lapar oscopic tools in a human model closely paralleling operative experience, an d the students have an opportunity to learn abdominal anatomy from a clinic al perspective. Laparoscopic examination and dissection of fresh cadavers h as been used for training surgeons on new procedures such as colon resectio n, antireflux procedures, and cholecystectomy. There is no report of this s ame technology used in embalmed cadavers to teach basic anatomy. This appro ach allows first-year medical students to learn the anatomy while exposing them to the technology currently used in surgical practice, and it affords surgical residents and students additional opportunities to practice laparo scopic skills. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.