Teaching video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy-using an simulation model.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is gradually replacing conventional open thoracotomy as the standard approach of many lung resections and thoracic surgical trainees and experienced surgeons must learn and master this technique. Simulation based training may be a good option to acquire or improve these advanced skills, however realistic and inexpensive simulators are not accessible or commercially available. We developed a low cost and hi fidelity simulation model using porcine heart-lung blocks.