Our new state-of-the-art Surgical Skills Laboratory was inaugurated on December 8, 2022. The Surgical Skills Laboratory was planned and built under the leadership of Dr. Ivar Mendez Provicial Head of Surgery. The laboratory is closely linked to our mission to train competent clinicians and surgeons and maintain the skills of practicing surgeons. We will be implementing an educational surgical skills curriculum that is tailor-made to the needs of our undergraduate and postgraduate surgical programs and the maintenance of competence of practicing surgeons across Saskatchewan. The implementation of educational surgical skills in controlled and simulated environments has shown to promote improvement on surgical outcomes and patient safety. A major emphasis of the laboratory will be the transference of technical skills from virtual to real environments. The simulated surgical skills learned at the laboratory must complement surgical training in real settings and the goal is for learners to be competent in certain skills before working with patients. A Grounding Space will be a feature of the new Surgical Skills Laboratory land will be installed in a quiet alcove close to the entrance of the lab. The design of the grounding space has been created with the collaboration of the Indigenous Initiatives and Programming of the School of Medicine. This quiet space will serve as a place of spiritual reflection and respect on the use of human cadavers for surgical skills training.

Surgical Skills Lab (SSL)

The Surgical Skills Lab (SSL) is a state-of-the-art, biohazard level 2 training facility where surgical residents from multiple programs refine essential techniques in a safe, realistic environment. The lab supports a wide range of procedures, including laparoscopy, arthroscopy, endoscopy, microsurgery, and more.

Our facility features both human and animal cadaveric materials, along with advanced equipment such as microscopes, a C-arm, suction systems, and a comprehensive array of surgical instruments. This setup allows healthcare professionals to practice and perfect their skills in conditions that closely simulate real-life surgical scenarios.

Faculty Highlights

• Scrub sinks
• Surgical beds and tables
• Overhead OR lighting
• Dual wall monitors
• Ceiling-mounted supply units

Training Capabilities
The SSL supports hands-on practice in:

• Suturing and laparoscopic techniques
• Orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures
• General surgery and ENT, etc..
• Use of anatomical models and cadaveric specimens for advanced skill development

• Medical device training
• Product demonstrations
• Cadaveric tissue-based workshops

• Steris Surgical Tables ×2
• Stryker Surgical Boom ×1
• Philips C-Arm & Monitor ×1 (with lead aprons in various sizes)
• Force Triads (Monopolar & Bipolar) ×2
• Stryker Suction System
• Microscopes  ×2
• Extensive collection of surgical instruments

Construction is nearly complete on a modern 6500 sq ft combined anatomy and surgical skills lab which will offer additional capacity.  The lab will be equipped with a full range of surgical instrumentation and state of the art equipment for minimally invasive procedures.  This will facilitate realistic surgical simulation and procedural training as well as creating the environment for surgical innovation.

SSKL Booking Request Form

Please fill in the form below to book with the USask Surgical Skills Lab.

SSKL Booking Request Form

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