Lay summary
This project will develop a model to be used by paediatric surgeons to practice and acquire the skills for a difficult and challenging keyhole (thoracoscopic) operation in babies (neonates). The simulated operation is the repair of an oesophagus which has developed abnormally. This abnormality consists of a blind ending upper oesophageal pouch and the lower oesophagus abnormally attached to the main airway. The operation requires separation of the lower oesophagus from the airway and joining it to the upper oesophagus pouch within the small space of a baby’s chest by the keyhole method (thoracoscopic oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula repair). This project is of importance to Pacific health as Pacific babies have higher rates of congenital anomalies than the general New Zealand population.