About reconskills

reconskills represents a group of dedicated researchers and health care professionals interested in addressing orthopedics and traumatology training using cadaveric specimens that feature both realistic injuries as well as degenerative joint diseases.

A cutting edge technology for this format using fracture simulators and other sorts of technical applications was developed in 2010 under a scientific project simulating forearm dislocation injuries initiated by the Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery / University Hospital of Cologne in collaboration with the Institute of Biomechanics and Orthopedics / German Sports University of Cologne.

Over the last decade we generated more than 1500 prefractured specimens involving several joints of the human body. In addition, injuries to long bones, skull and midface for advanced surgical training courses were produced. Besides specimen injuries, we are developing concepts simulating trauma-care situations including planning, surgical approaches and stabilization methods for specific fracture situations on the basis of up-to-date imaging technology, including CT and 3D printing. Reduction and fixation techniques are trained using prefractured specimens, providing the most realistic surgical experience. Courses featuring fracture prostheses with the identical concept have also been conducted and have received excellent feedback from surgeons and medial experts in the field.

Being scientific researchers at heart, our scope extends to evaluate these educational concepts with regards to subjective learning effects for theoretical and practical aspects and to compare it to other available course concepts. Our study confirmed profound learning experiences in these realistic trauma models (Wegmann, Müller et al 2019).

reconskills® is able to produce multiple specific and realistic injury patterns in cadaveric specimens, which can be implemented successfully in educational surgical courses. These specimens can facilitate surgical education by providing realistic surgical exposure and in-depth learning.