Simulation in Vascular Surgery

Increasingly stringent restrictions of duty hours for residents have led to decreasing experience with complex open vascular interventions; simulation is a promising avenue for both skills training and skill assessment. Various different forms of simulation are now available including benchtop models, animal models, cadavers, and high-fidelity simulators. This chapter reviews the available modalities, the evidence supporting their use in both open and endovascular surgical training, components of a successful simulation training program, and the application of simulation training in the context of two academic centers – LSU and OHSU.