Received 1 December 2004; received in revised form 3 August 2005
Abstract
Background
General surgeons can supplement traditional gross anatomy instruction by using laparoscopy to provide clinical correlations. Early, positive interaction with surgeons may stimulate student interest in this field.
Methods
Basic laparoscopy was performed on fresh cadavers for first year medical students in gross anatomy over 2 consecutive years. Surgical residents reviewed anatomy of the abdomen, and students manipulated intra-abdominal organs using laparoscopic instruments. Students completed pre- and post-demonstration questionnaires that were compared independently.
Results
More than 95% of responding students agreed the demonstration enhanced their understanding of abdominal anatomy. Regardless of planned area of specialization, students felt the demonstration reinforced the clinical relevance of gross anatomy. Among students already anticipating surgical careers, 88.2% said the demonstration increased their interest in general surgery; this was significantly higher than among those intending careers in internal medicine (27.3%) or other fields (23.5%; P < .0001).
Conclusions
Cadaver-based laparoscopy demonstrations by general surgeons supplement didactic sessions and enhance learning in gross anatomy. Furthermore, such demonstrations may stimulate student interest in general surgery at an early point in their medical education, particularly in those already interested in a surgical career.
aDepartment of Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
bDepartment of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
cWashington University Institute for Minimally-Invasive Surgery (WUIMIS), St. Louis, MO, USA
Corresponding author. Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8109, St. Louis, MO 63110. Tel.: +1-314-362-8028; fax: +1-314-362-8790
ABSTRACT