A new simulator model for knee arthroscopy procedures

Arthroscopy is currently the "gold standard" for various surgeries performed on the knee joint. Therefore, surgeons wishing to operate in this professional field should be able to perform this technique. Arthroscopic training, an experimental laboratory, is important for the surgeons' training, enabling them to increase their skills with the specific instruments and to become familiar with the operating techniques. The aim of this study was to present a new surgical simulator for training in arthroscopic procedures of the knee.

The Kneetrainer 1 is a simulator consisting of a type of thermo-retractile, thermo-sensitive synthetic rubber that has texture, colour, consistency, and mechanical resistance that mimic many human tissues. Nine simulators were used, operated by seventeen expert Brazilian surgeons in knee surgery. The surgeons performed arthroscopy, meniscectomy, and reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), responded to an electronic questionnaire with several variables, and gave an overall score on the ability of the device to perform realistic simulation for the above procedures.

The ability to perform the procedures of meniscectomy and ACL reconstruction was considered adequate by 82 and 100 % of the specialists, respectively. The overall scores for the ability to perform realistic simulation for the procedures meniscectomy and reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament by arthroscopy were 64.7 and 82.4 %, respectively. The simulator was therefore considered suitable for practical application with novice surgeons.

The Kneetrainer 1 simulator was assessed as an effective tool for recreating accurate arthroscopic knee procedures. In addition, the simulator may be effective as a means of honing the skills of novice surgeons. Future investigations should be performed to validate the reliability of the simulator.

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