A High-fidelity Tactile Hand Simulator as a Training Tool to Develop Competency in Percutaneous Pinning in Residents.

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Medical Simulation
• Surgical Training

Background:

• A novel, economical 3D-printed and casted hand simulator was developed.
• This simulator enhances traditional medical education models for surgical skills acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the realism and utility of a new 3D-printed hand simulator for percutaneous pinning.
• To assess its potential as a training tool for orthopedic residents.

Main Methods:

• Five expert orthopedic surgeons evaluated the simulator.
• Participants performed percutaneous pinning procedures on the simulator.
• Evaluation involved questionnaires assessing realism and usefulness using multiple-choice and Likert-scale responses.

Main Results:

• All expert surgeons found the tactile hand simulator beneficial for residency training.
• High ratings were given for the realism of the material, pin insertion, and the bone interface.
• Participants expressed willingness to recommend the simulator and test future versions.

Conclusions:

• The tactile simulator offers a valuable adjunct to visual learning, improving residents' tactile skills.
• It provides a cost-effective and safe environment for practicing percutaneous pinning outside the operating room.