[Endoscopic inanimate biological simulators for training in endoscopic mucosal dissection]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Medical Simulation
• Surgical Education

Context:

• Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a standard treatment for early gastric cancer, enabling en bloc resection of larger lesions.
• ESD requires specialized skills and longer procedure times compared to endoscopic mucosal resection, highlighting the need for effective training methods.
• Simulators offer a risk-free environment for training, skill development, and technique standardization in complex endoscopic procedures.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the efficacy of biological inanimate simulators in developing endoscopic skills essential for performing ESD.
• To assess the safety and feasibility of using simulators for ESD training.

Summary:

• An experimental study utilized a biological inanimate simulator to train five endoscopists in ESD techniques.
• The study evaluated technical success, complication rates, and procedure times, with a mean dissection time of 21.08 minutes for 18 lesions.
• A strong positive correlation was observed between self-evaluation and instructor's evaluation, while lesion size did not correlate with procedure time. One perforation occurred and was managed successfully.

Impact:

• Biological inanimate simulators provide a safe platform for training complex endoscopic procedures like ESD.
• The findings suggest that while simulators aid in skill acquisition, increased procedural volume is necessary to optimize the learning curve.
• This training method allows for risk-free practice, enhancing trainee confidence and competence in ESD before patient procedures.