Manila: The University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila) has inaugurated a new laboratory that enables health professionals to practice surgical and clinical procedures using cadaveric specimens before applying them on actual patients.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Surgical Knowledge Intensive Learning Laboratory through Simulation (SKILLS) Laboratory, launched earlier this month, is designed to provide a specialized facility for cadaver-based simulation training and other medical education activities.
The facility differs from conventional anatomy laboratories, which primarily focus on human anatomy and dissection. SKILLS Laboratory allows trainees to practice clinical and surgical procedures in a controlled environment, enhancing their skills before they perform on patients. The opening of the SKILLS laboratory represents a significant advancement in the UP College of Medicine's (UPCM) ongoing efforts to modernize medical education, improve clinical skills training, and enhance patient safety.
The laboratory is equipped with digital anatomy dissection tables, visualizers, surgical and skull-base stations, endoscopic towers, drills, and microscopes. It also features an obstetrics and gynecology station with a hysteroscope. An integrated audiovisual and wireless system allows for the transmission of procedures and other laboratory activities to different locations for teaching, observation, and demonstrations.
Recently, a two-day course on AO Spine Advanced Level Anatomical Specimen was held at the facility. It brought together spine surgeons and specialists from the Philippines and abroad for hands-on training in basic endoscopic spine procedures using cadaveric specimens. The course was conducted by AO Spine, a global academic community and professional organization for spine surgeons, researchers, and medical specialists. It specifically targeted orthopedic spine fellows, young consultants, and neurosurgeons who are beginning their practice in endoscopic spine surgery.
The SKILLS Laboratory is part of UP Manila's commitment to strengthening clinical skills training and preparing health professionals for real-world medical procedures.
