Current status of simulation training in plastic surgery residency programs: A review

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training

Background:

• Competency-based learning and departure from traditional apprenticeship models increase demand for surgical simulation.
• Surgical simulators exist in various forms, including virtual, synthetic, animal, and non-living models.
• The ideal simulator replicates operating room conditions to refine surgical skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the applications and benefits of simulation-based surgical training in residency curricula.
• Specifically examines the integration of simulation in plastic surgery residency programs.
• Highlights the need for research on effective integration into resident programs.

Main Methods:

• Review of current applications and potential benefits of simulation-based surgical training.
• Focus on plastic surgery residency curriculum integration.
• Analysis of existing simulation modalities and their effectiveness.

Main Results:

• Simulation training aids in acquiring and refining surgical skills, benefiting resident learning curves.
• Current curricula often use virtual simulation for anatomical and procedural learning.
• Skill transfer to the operating room is promising, but mastery versus memorization requires attention.

Conclusions:

• Diverse simulation models should be employed stepwise throughout training to assess milestones.
• Simulating realistic tactile feedback remains a significant challenge.
• Further development of sophisticated tactile simulation models is needed.