The Coronary Anastomosis Wetlab allowed junior doctors and medical students to learn key surgical skills directly from consultants who perform complicated open-heart surgery on a daily basis.

Coronary anastomosis refers to the joining of two blood vessels; and the wetlab concentrated on teaching some of the skills needed to perform coronary bypass surgery - including delicate suturing on coronary arteries.

The junior doctors and medical students were able to practise the surgical techniques under the watchful eye of expert consultants.

Samera Dean, a graduate entry medical student at Swansea University’s College of Medicine, said:

“The wetlab was absolutely brilliant and an opportunity that isn’t readily available to medical students.

“We were very fortunate to be taught by leading experts in cardiothoracic surgery and have one-to-one tuition in suturing techniques, which were advanced, but left us feeling enthusiastic about a future career in surgery.”

The event was held in clinical skills laboratory at Swansea University, with the help of Wetlab UK and global medical device company, SORIN.

It was organised by Morriston Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Swansea University Associate Professor Farah Bhatti, along with fellow Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeons Aprim Youhana, Saeed Ashraf and Afzal Zaidi; and Dean of Medical Education at Swansea University College of Medicine, Professor Judy McKimm.

Picture: Miss Bhatti with medical student Izhar Ali and Cardiothoracic trainee, Ana Lopez.

As well as Swansea students and trainees, junior doctors from Cardiff also took part.

Miss Bhatti said the aim was to hold similar regular events in future, with a wetlab for aortic valve replacements planned for later this year. She explained:

“Simulation and practising outside the operating theatre enables trainees to develop and improve their surgical skills. This means that when they are in the clinical environment they are mindful of how to handle surgical instruments, and have rehearsed the steps in a procedure many times before.

“I was particularly keen for our trainee junior doctors to get hands on experience, and also for graduate entry medical students, who had expressed an interest in surgery, to be exposed to this.

“We plan to run these again, perhaps focusing on aortic valve replacements the next time. The format will remain similar – encouraging a mix of doctors and students of different seniority, locality and skills to learn from senior colleagues and from each other.”

She added that providing regular wetlab training could also help to encourage new and aspiring doctors to develop their skills in Wales and perhaps help to boost the medical workforce.

Professor Judy McKimm, Dean of Medical Education at the College of Medicine said:

“This was a highly interesting, interactive and inspirational event, led by Miss Farah Bhatti and clinical colleagues from ABMU.

“The real strength was the way in which students, doctors in training and experienced colleagues all worked and learned from one another and I know the graduate entry medical students hugely valued this opportunity.

“My thanks to all involved and I hope this can be at the least an annual event in our collaborative calendar.”

This is an Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board press release.