The Skull Base & Spine Dissection Simulation Center is located in the Thurston-Bowles building across from the main hospital. The facility supports over 1,000 hours of educational activities each year including several inter-professional continuing medical education events, like the 360º Advanced Operative Techniques in Skull Base Surgery course with UNC Otolaryngology.Neurosurgery Skills Curriculum.

Neurosurgery Residency Skills Curriculum

Each Wednesday, neurosurgery residents attend a didactic conference. Residents also attend a monthly skills lab with cadaver dissection and discussion of surgical approaches including pterional, orbitozygomatic, bifrontal, eyebrow, retrosigmoid, far lateral, and suboccipital craniotomies in addition to microvascular dissection using placenta models. There are also endoscopic simulators for developing flexible endoscopy skills.

Each station is equipped with a microscope and surgical instruments similar to what is used in the operating room in order to provide an effective translational experience from the lab to the surgical theater. Residents also participate in spine labs with cadaveric dissections and surgical approaches taught by our spine faculty and in the past, have collaborated with UNC orthopedic surgery residents as well as Duke neurosurgery residents. UNC Neurosurgery has also hosted guest surgeons from other institutions across the globe who have volunteered their time to further neurosurgical education.

Skills Lab Leadership

The Skills Lab is directed by Dr. Carlos David, Vice Chair of Education in the Department of Neurosurgery. Dr. David has a strong passion for medical education. Crystal Lincoln is the Lab Manager and has over 30 years of experience as an OR nurse.

Miracles in Sight Surgical Skills Laboratory

The Miracles in Sight Surgical Skills Laboratory brings together the departments of Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology.

The lab is a 3,800 square foot facility with sixteen surgical skills stations and an additional three spine specific stations. The stations are fully integrated with a high definition camera and sound system.

There is an array of specialty-specific equipment available to further enhance the learner experience including a Mimic Technologies Robotic Surgery Simulator (dV Trainer). The Mimic has over 40 exercises of various skill level objectives and is customizable for each user and/or specialty. In addition to using the robotic simulator in future surgeries, the Mimic continues to be beneficial for simulation training.

To contact the Skull Base & Spine Dissection Lab Simulation Center, please call (919) 843-6417.