Nonbiological Microsurgery Simulators in Plastic Surgery Training: A Systematic Review
Systematic review published in Plast Reconstr Surg (2019)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Simulation has gained notable recognition for its role as an effective training and assessment modality in the present era of competency-based medical education. Despite the well-documented efficacy of both live and cadaveric animal models, several ethical, financial, and accessibility issues persist with their use. Lower fidelity nonbiological simulators have gained recognition for their ability to circumvent these challenges. This systematic review reports on all prosthetic and virtual reality simulators in use for microsurgery training, with an emphasis on each model's complexity, characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and validation measures taken. METHODS: A systematic search was performed using the National Library of Medicine (PubMed), MEDLINE, and Embase databases. Search terms were those pertaining to prosthetic and virtual reality models with relevance to microsurgical training in plastic surgery. Three independent reviewers evaluated all articles retrieved based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: Fifty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria for review, reporting on 20 basic prosthetic models, 20 intermediate models, 13 advanced models, and six virtual reality simulators. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive summary has been compiled of all nonbiological simulators in use for microsurgery training in plastic surgery, demonstrating efficacy for the acquisition and retention of microsurgical skills. Metrics-based validation efforts, however, were often lacking in the literature. As plastic surgery programs continue to innovate, ensure accountability, and safely meet today's training standards, prosthetic simulators are set to play a larger role in the development of a standardized, ethical, accessible, and objectively measurable microsurgery training curriculum for the modern-day plastic and reconstructive surgery resident.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Systematic review of 57 articles covering 20 basic, 20 intermediate, 13 advanced prosthetic models and 6 virtual reality microsurgery simulators with assessment of validation status.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This systematic review evaluated 57 articles on prosthetic and virtual reality simulators used for microsurgery training in plastic surgery, cataloguing 20 basic, 20 intermediate, and 13 advanced prosthetic models plus six VR simulators. The review found these nonbiological simulators demonstrate efficacy for acquiring and retaining microsurgical skills, though metrics-based validation was often lacking. For ASH's domain, this article has only indirect relevance: it concerns surgical training infrastructure that may include future practitioners of hirudotherapy, but it contains no content on leeches, leech therapy, or the leech secretome. The article is purely a simulation-training review with no leech-related data.
Citación
Nonbiological Microsurgery Simulators in Plastic Surgery Training: A Systematic Review.
Abi-Rafeh J et al. · Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 2019
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026