Definitive Surgical Trauma Skills (DSTS)

Definitive Surgical Trauma Skills (DSTS) is a highly practical, two-day course taught by skilled and knowledgeable faculty, designed to teach life-saving surgical decision-making and damage control techniques under pressure in trauma and emergency environments. Through practical workshops on unembalmed (fresh frozen) cadavers, participants learn surgical procedures to manage a broad range of trauma situations, covering decision-making, epidemiology, and emerging technologies.

The majority of the course is delivered in the skills lab, where you work in small groups on cadavers. This is complemented by lectures, case studies, and ongoing opportunities to discuss trauma management with expert faculty. You will also receive access to videos and accompanying procedural steps via the virtual learning environment demonstrating many of the procedures taught.

This course is suitable for ST5-8, consultants, and SAS grades. Participants should have a good understanding of ATLS and critical care principles, and experience managing trauma both frequently and infrequently.

Learning outcomes include: organising and planning life-saving decision-making for polytrauma patients; describing damage control surgery and resuscitation philosophy; discussing ballistics science and penetrating ballistic injury management; recognising the exsanguinating patient; and undertaking cadaveric procedures including thoracic trauma, vascular trauma, neck injuries, limb trauma, abdominal trauma, pelvic trauma, and solid and hollow organ injury management.

Course content includes:
• Thoracic trauma and thoracic damage control
• Left lateral and clamshell thoracotomy• Vascular trauma and vascular damage control• Penetrating neck injuries• Thoracic outlet and upper limb injuries• Lower limb trauma• Abdominal and pelvic trauma• Solid and hollow organ injury management• Closure and drains• Pulmonary, renal, subclavian, and axillary injuries• Trauma laparotomy