Teaching Techniques & Facilities
Innovative Teaching
The faculty in the divisions of cardiac and thoracic surgery are thoroughly committed to the educational mission of the program. Routine feedback sessions, self-assessment and rapid/safe ramping of graduated responsibilities are enhanced by a variety of educational opportunities.
The Center for Advanced Surgical and Interventional Technology (CASIT) is a UCLA-designated research facility. It includes a patient simulator, integrated operating room suite, laparoscopic training laboratory, and robotic surgery system. Learn more about CASIT »
A simulation curriculum has been developed for the trainees in order to enhance their cognitive and technical skills. These dedicated laboratory sessions include:
- Cardiopulmonary bypass: Set up, troubleshooting, and crisis management
- Vascular anastomosis: Porcine and artificial models are made available to teach and facilitate deliberate practice.
- Aortic root: Porcine aortic root dissection and performance of aortic root replacement and valve sparing root operations
- Mitral and Tricuspid Valve Anatomy: Dissection and understand the fibrous skeleton of the heart and valve repair and replacement strategies.
- Arrhythmia Surgery: Anatomy and performance of the Cox-Maze operations with various energy sources.
Conferences
- Weekly M&M
- Cardiac teaching – Combines cardiac and congenital topics
- Thoracic teaching – Discusses thoracic topics
- Esophageal conference
- Congenital conference
- Written and Oral Board preparation