Objective:

Survival of organ transplantation depends to a major part on successful organ explantation and implantation, especially in light of the increasing number of marginal donor organs. Thus, we initiated the CTTx as hand-on training for surgeons to learn the specifics of heart and lung transplantation (HLTx).

Methods:

On two weekends (14hours/weekend), a maximum of 6 participants with advanced experience in heart and lung surgery, work in teams of two. Each team is supervised by an experienced physician in HLTx.

CTTx Part-I is performed in the Institute for Legal Medicine of the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany, to practice in non-preserved corpses. CTTx Part-II takes place in the animal laboratory of the Heart Center Leipzig, Germany, to mimic the live situation by using pigs supported by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for implantation of the heart and lung. The training consists of 3 rounds with 3 donor animals to perform 3 HTx and 3 LTx in 6 recipient animals. In both parts of the CTTx the teams rotate in order to allow each participant practicing the HLTx techniques.

Results:

For the animal practice the success of the operation is measured by weaning-off the transplanted heart and lung from CPB. Single left transplant lung functional assessment is achieved through isolated left lung ventilation following clamping of the right lung hilus. CME and certificates are awarded following the participation in both parts of the CTTx.

Conclusion:

CTTx is unique as it combines an initial training on human corpses and the subsequent training in an animal live setting. Until today four CTTxs have successfully been completed from 2010 till 2012 with an overall satisfaction of the participants. As a consequence a annual CTTx is planned for young heart and lung surgeons.

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