Low-fidelity simulation models in urology resident microsurgery training
Educational study published in Acta Cir Bras (2023)
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the gain of microsurgical skills and competencies by urology residents, using low-fidelity experimental models. METHODS: The study involved the use of training boards, together with a low-fidelity microsurgery simulator, developed using a 3D printer. The model consists in two silicone tubes, coated with a resin, measuring 10 cm in length and with internal and external diameters of 0.5 and 1.5 mm. The support for the ducts is composed by a small box, developed with polylactic acid. The evaluation of the gain of skills and competencies in microsurgery occurred throughout a training course consisting of five training sessions. The first sessions (S1-S4) took place at weekly intervals and the last session (S5) was performed three months after S4. During sessions, were analyzed: the speed of performing microsurgical sutures in the pre and post-training and the performance of each resident through the Objective Structure Assessment of Technical Skill (OSATS) and Student Satisfaction Self-Confidence tools in Learning (SSSCL). RESULTS: There was a decrease in the time needed to perform the anastomosis (p=0.0019), as well as a progressive increase in the score in the OSATS over during sessions S1 to S4. At S5, there was a slightly decrease in performance (p<0.0001), however, remaining within the expected plateau for the gain of skills and competences. The SSSCL satisfaction scale showed an overall approval rating of 96.9%, with a Cronback alpha coefficient of 83%. CONCLUSIONS: The low-fidelity simulation was able to guarantee urology residents a solid gain in skills and competencies in microsurgery.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Low-fidelity 3D-printed microsurgery simulator with silicone tubes effectively improved urology residents' microsurgery skills through 5-session OSATS-evaluated course.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This study evaluated the gain of microsurgical skills and competencies by urology residents using a low-fidelity 3D-printed simulator with silicone tubes over a five-session training course. The researchers analyzed the speed of performing microsurgical sutures and assessed technical skills using standard objective tools. While microsurgical anastomosis skills are fundamentally important in various reconstructive procedures where medicinal leeches are sometimes applied to salvage tissue flaps, this specific study focuses strictly on urology resident training. Consequently, there is no direct relevance to hirudotherapy or the leech secretome, as no leeches, leech-derived components, or leech therapy protocols were involved in the research. The findings are strictly educational regarding synthetic surgical training models.
Citation
Low-fidelity simulation models in urology resident's microsurgery training.
Pinto LOAD et al. · Acta cirurgica brasileira, 2023
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