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Published on: August 17, 2022
A novel low-cost sinus surgery task trainer.
Sonya Malekzadeh1, Michael J Pfisterer, Brette Wilson
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Georgetown University Medical Center, MedStar Health, Washington, DC 20007, USA. malekzas@gunet.georgetown.edu
Summary
An inexpensive endoscopic sinus surgery simulator was developed for under $5. This low-cost training model effectively enhances essential surgical skills, offering a viable alternative to expensive options.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Medical Simulation
- Surgical Education
Background:
- High costs of current simulators limit training program integration.
- Need for affordable and accessible tools for developing endoscopic sinus surgery skills.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate an inexpensive endoscopic sinus surgery task trainer.
- To assess its efficacy in teaching basic endoscopy and surgical skills.
Main Methods:
- Constructed a low-cost ($5) training model using gelatin and common materials.
- Ten otolaryngologists performed nasal endoscopy and specific tasks using the model.
- Collected feedback via a survey on the model's teaching value.
Main Results:
- The model scored highly in improving camera skills, instrumentation, and hand-eye coordination.
- Participants found the trainer valuable for developing fundamental surgical skills.
- The trainer is easily reproducible and cost-effective.
Conclusions:
- This inexpensive, easily reproducible task trainer offers a practical alternative to costly simulators.
- It shows promise for training basic endoscopic sinus surgery skills.
- Further studies are planned to validate its effectiveness for teaching and assessment.
