CGH’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Singapore Orthopaedics Association (SOA) organised a Pre-Congress Cadaveric Workshop on 1 Dec 2005 at CGH Skills Training Laboratory as part of SOA 28th Annual Scientific Meeting.

" Surgical demonstration of a new surgical technique and a 'hands on’ cadaveric workshop is the way to go to teach our surgeons the surgical approach, surgical anatomy and techniques. ACL injury and correction of malalignment of knee are some of the common surgery performed beside meniscus surgery,” said A/Prof Lam Khee Sien, President of SOA and CGH's Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon.

The participants were particular pleased with the workshop facilities and the excellent demonstration of surgical approach, anatomy and techniques of double bundle ACL reconstruction by Dr Freddie Fu. He has generously shared and given everyone a CD copy of the surgical technique and his lecture.

Known worldwide for his pioneering surgical techniques to treat sports-related injuries to the knee and shoulder, Dr Freddie Fu,

is the David Silver Professor and Chairman of epartment of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre, USA. He garnered more than 70 professional awards and numerous major research grants as a result of his efforts in clinical, basic scientific and biomechanical research concerning sports medicine and orthopaedic surgery.

Dr Fu demonstrated the double bundle ACL reconstruction to 20 doctors who came from various Asean countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippine, Singapore and Thailand. He is one of the first surgeons in the United States to perform a“ double-bundle” reconstruction of the torn ACL. Traditional ACL
repair uses a single-bundle reconstruction using the patellar or hamstring tendons. The double bundle technique restores both functional bundles of the ACL, the anteromedial bundle, and the posterolateral bundle.

"The single bundle technique is like operating in 2 dimensions. Although the knee can move back and forth, the rotational stability of the knee is not addressed. By using the double bundle
technique which is a more accurate anatomical reconstruction, we aim to improve surgical outcome and restore the knee’s function as close to normal
as possible, said Dr Fu."

It was Dr Fu’s first visit to the Changi Skills Training Laboratory though he has lectured and at various world class training facilities. “This is as good as anywhere in the world. I love it.”

“ Doctors have to continually learn and upgrade their skills. With the success of this workshop, the plan is to work with more partners to increase training opportunities to doctors and hold more courses at CGH’s Skills Training Lab and make CGH a learning centre,” said Dr Low Cheng Ooi, Chief of rthopaedic Surgery, CGH.