Simulation improves resident performance in catheter-based intervention: results of a randomized, controlled study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Catheter-based interventions are crucial in vascular surgery.
• Surgical simulation has proven effective for general surgery resident training.
• The impact of simulation on acquiring catheter skills requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of simulation in teaching catheter-based endovascular techniques to general surgery residents.
• To determine if simulator training improves resident performance in mentored catheter interventions.

Main Methods:

• Twenty general surgery residents received didactic training.
• Ten residents underwent additional training with a haptic simulator (Procedicus).
• All residents performed mentored catheter interventions; performance was assessed by blinded attending surgeons.

Main Results:

• Simulator-trained residents outperformed controls in procedural steps and global ratings during their first intervention (P < 0.0052).
• This performance advantage persisted and improved with the second intervention (P < 0.0006).
• Simulation training enhanced nearly all individual performance measures.

Conclusions:

• Simulation is a valid and effective tool for teaching basic endovascular techniques to surgical residents and fellows.
• Incorporating simulation into surgical training programs is recommended.
• Simulation may also benefit experienced vascular surgeons undergoing retraining.