Teaching Palatoplasty Using a High-Fidelity Cleft Palate Simulator.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Medical Simulation
• Plastic Surgery

Background:

• Cleft palate repair presents significant challenges for surgical training.
• A novel high-fidelity simulator has been developed for cleft surgeon education.
• Evaluating this simulator's impact on trainee confidence and knowledge is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a novel high-fidelity cleft palate simulator in surgeon training.
• To measure the impact of the simulator on procedural confidence and palatoplasty knowledge.

Main Methods:

• Plastic surgery trainees participated in a workshop including didactic and simulation sessions.
• Participants completed pre- and post-workshop questionnaires on procedural confidence and knowledge.
• A novel cleft palate simulator was utilized during the simulation session.

Main Results:

• All participants showed significantly increased procedural confidence post-workshop (p < 0.05).
• Palatoplasty knowledge scores improved in 90% of participants, with mean scores rising from 28% to 43%.
• Trainees with prior experience maintained higher confidence levels throughout, while both groups showed knowledge gains.

Conclusions:

• The novel cleft palate simulator is an effective tool for palatoplasty training.
• A single training session using the simulator improved both procedural confidence and knowledge.
• The simulator offers benefits to trainees regardless of prior cleft surgery experience.