Central venous catheterization using a perfused human cadaveric model: application to surgical education.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to present a unique training model using a perfused human cadaver for central line placement training with the ultimate goal of reducing central venous catheter mechanical complications.

Design: The applicability of the fresh tissue cadaver model for central line placement was assessed using a 10-item questionnaire with a 5-point Likert-type scale. Respondents were asked to rate their opinions as strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, or strongly disagree.

Setting: All participants received a didactic lecture followed by supervised practice on a commercially available simulator. The students were then relocated to the Fresh Tissue Dissection Laboratory where they practiced central vein catheterization on a fresh perfused human cadaver.

Participants: Course participants included 87 physicians from various medical specialties at different stages of training.

Results: Results of the survey demonstrated that 91% of the participating physicians found the perfused cadaveric model to be a true simulation of conditions that exist in live patients, and 98% reported that the use of this model promoted acquisition of technical skills.

Conclusion: The integration of central line placement training on perfused cadavers into residency and fellowship training provides an unparalleled realistic simulation to participants. Further study is needed to assess whether realistic simulation translates into objective end points such as decreased mechanical complications.