91社区

鈥淚 was always interested in a surgical path within medicine because we get to intervene on patients in a meaningful way,鈥� says Dr. Marco Mascarella, a third-year resident in the Department of Otolaryngology鈥擧ead and Neck Surgery at 91社区. 聽He recently participated in a two-day 91社区 Temporal Bone Course at the Steinberg Centre for Simulation and Interactive Learning, working with cadaveric specimens under close supervision to augment his knowledge and skills in microscopic ear surgery.聽聽

Otolaryngologists are trained in the medical and surgical management and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat (ENT), and related structures of the head and neck.聽 In Canada, otolaryngologists complete a five-year residency program, and many go on to complete fellowships and subspecialty training to further develop their surgical skills and knowledge.

Learners take part in several simulation and cadaver workshops during their residency program training to develop their skills in a highly-immersive, technologically-advanced and safe environment. The primary objective of the Temporal Bone Course is to teach second- and third-year residents basic and advanced techniques of temporal bone dissection, as well as surgical indications and surgical techniques of the middle ear and temporal bone.

鈥淚t鈥檚 so important for the residents to practice safely before performing these procedures on real patients,鈥� explains Dr. Tamara Mijovic, Assistant Professor in the 91社区 Department of Otolaryngology and organizer for this workshop. 聽鈥淒uring the two-day workshop, they become familiar with the important structures and practice the steps of ear surgery, using the same tools and instruments that they will use in actual surgery. They need to know how it feels, to get familiar with the motions and develop muscle memory with the dissection and drilling. We are very fortunate to have industry sponsor support during this workshop. Medtronic brings in surgical drills and Southmedic lends us instrument sets for this workshops so that learners can practice using the same actual tools that they will be using in the OR.聽 Cochlear assists with sound processing implants, and we bring in the microscopes. 91社区 has a strong anatomy program and cadavers offer the most realistic simulation practice.聽 This is as close as it gets to the real thing.鈥�

There is a very high teacher-to-student ratio, allowing the residents to benefit from individual attention during the workshops.聽 91社区 faculty members present included Drs. Tamara Mijovic, Jamie Rappaport, Robert Shapiro, and Robert Sweet. As well, Dr. Marc-Elie Nader from the University of Texas, Dr.聽Jane Lea from the University of British Columbia, and Dr. Fran莽ois Cloutier from the Pierre-Boucher Hospital were brought in to share their expertise.聽聽

鈥淭his workshop is really exciting for the residents, and it makes me more comfortable,鈥� says Dr. Mijovic. 鈥淚t allows me to know what they know, and what they don鈥檛 know.聽 When they come to the OR with me, I know what level they鈥檙e at, and I can let them take on more responsibility.鈥澛�

Dr. Marco Mascarella reflects on the value of this workshop: 鈥淚n otolaryngology, we deal with the senses鈥攈earing, voice, swallowing.聽 There are quality of life issues that we can often improve or fix through ear surgery.聽 This is precise, fine surgery on a very small organ, located near the brain and the nerves. There鈥檚 no room for mistakes. Doing this lab and operating on cadaveric specimens allows us the realism to put into practice and translate what we have learned onto a patient through simulation.聽 As a surgeon-in-training, this is part of our essential tools. Honestly, it鈥檚 fantastic.鈥�