King's NeuroLab
King’s NeuroLab (KNL) aims to inspire neurosurgical trainees to fulfil their clinical and academic potential by delivering regular hands-on cadaveric education and skills training and by providing opportunities to engage in high-quality research.
Advanced training will be conducted using cadaveric and high-fidelity models within the Department of Surgical and Interventional Engineering (SIE)’s newly-created state-of-the-art mock Operating Room located at the St Thomas’ campus.
Academic activities will be supported by 6 – 12 month out-of-programme-research (OOPR) placements, approved by Health Education England (HEE). These placements align well with the NIHR’s existing one-year pump-prime Clinical Training Fellowships.
During research placements:
- KNL trainees will support current research activities at King’s.
- There is an opportunity to gather pilot data and apply for competitive funding to pursue further doctoral studies.
The following programmes are planned from December 2024 to July 2025.
- Pterional
- Orbito-Zygomatic
- Retrosgimoid
- Far Lateral
- Endoscopic Endonasal
- White Matter Tract dissection
- Spinal Decompression
- Spinal Instrumentation
- Endoscopic Spinal Surgery
KNL Research Steering Group (RSG)
The RSG oversees the lab's activities. Committee members include:
- Mr Jonathan Shapey (Clinical Reader, Consultant Neurosurgeon, KCH training lead & KNL lead),
- Mr Ahilan Kailaya-Vasan (Honorary Senior Lecturer, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Training Program director for neurosurgery training in South Thames & KNL lead)
- Professor Keyoumars Ashkan (Professor of Neurosurgery),
- Professor Sebastien Ourselin (Head of School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences)
- KHP Surgical Academy representative
- Consultant Neurosurgeon from King’s College Hospital (6 month rotational tenure)
KNL exemplar projects
KNL’s activities draw on the experience and expertise of its two Consultant Leads and RSG members with a focus on surgical anatomy, education and medical and imaging technology.
1. Surgical skills training
- Trainee drilling course
- Spinal instrumentation training
2. Research projects
- Microscopic and exoscopic neurosurgery: a performance assessment of techniques using cadaveric specimens
- The development of personalised AI-based clinical decision support tools for neurosurgery
- Ultrasound guided brain biopsy: a structured assessment of the surgical learning curve