The Wade Programme in surgical anatomy: educational approach and 10-year review.

Background: Against a background of significant changes in UK medical education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) established the Wade Programme in Surgical Anatomy in 2012, as a means of supporting the study of surgical anatomy throughout training. This article provides a 10-year review of the Wade Programme and its educational foundation.

Methods: A novel methodology, the 'Wade Educational Approach', was used in the design and development of a portfolio of professional courses at three training levels: Level 1 - RCSEd Affiliate, Level 2 - Early Years (MRCS) and Level 3 - Later Years (FRCS and CPD).

Anatomical design and production of a novel three-dimensional co-culture system replicating the human flexor digitorum profundus enthesis.

The enthesis, the specialized junction between tendon and bone, is a common site of injury. Although notoriously difficult to repair, advances in interfacial tissue engineering techniques are being developed for restorative function. Most notably are 3D in vitro co-culture models, built to recreate the complex heterogeneity of the native enthesis.

Anatomy and histomorphology of the flexor digitorum profundus enthesis: functional implications for tissue engineering and surgery.

Background: The enthesis possesses morphological adaptations across the soft-hard tissue junction which are not fully restored during surgical avulsion repairs. This loss of anatomical structure, highly related to function, contributes to poor clinical outcomes. Investigating the native macro- and micro-structure of a specific enthesis can provide functional and biomechanical insights to develop specialised, novel tissue-engineered therapeutic options and potentially improve current surgical treatments for avulsion injuries.

Histomorphology of the Subregions of the Scapholunate Interosseous Ligament and Its Enthesis.

 The scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) has three subregions: dorsal, proximal, and volar. The SLIL enthesis has not previously been studied despite its important mechanical function in wrist joint biomechanics.  This study aims to compare the histomorphological differences between the SLIL subregions, including at their entheses.

Improving surgical training: Establishing a surgical anatomy programme in Scotland.

Background: It is well recognized that a sound foundation in surgical anatomy is a cornerstone of safe surgical practice, yet many trainees struggle with the upskilling in anatomy that is required to support their day-to-day practice. In the context of the UK-wide Improving Surgical Training pilot, we set out to establish a surgical anatomy programme for core surgical trainees in the Scotland Deanery. The aim was to enable all trainees to review the surgical anatomy of the whole body to MRCS level at least once during core surgical training.