We held a hands-on teaching day for trainee neurosurgeons, enabling them to try out a range of surgical techniques with skull models, as well as using eggs and oranges to test their fine motor skills.

The skull base specialist training day, held at Queen’s Hospital on Thursday 28 August, combined lectures from internationally renowned neurosurgeons with the practical course, which was held in a state-of-the-art simulation lab.

It was attended by neurosurgical trainees from our Trust as well across the whole of London.

Course director, neurosurgeon Alireza Shoakazemi, said:

Our training day gave the opportunity to learn neurosurgical techniques using the same instruments they use in the operating theatre.

It was very popular, we welcomed trainees at every stage of their career, from year one to year eight.

Rose Ingleton, senior neurosurgical registrar who helped organise the event, added:

Simulations like this, which allow trainees to practice in a safe, controlled environment, where it’s okay to make mistakes, help to make them better surgeons in the future for their patients.

To complement the technical sessions there was also a precision challenge, where participants used neurosurgical instruments on the eggs and oranges to test their fine motor skills. Prizes were awarded to the best performers.