The role of simulation in training breast surgeons: a systematic review

As surgical education has evolved, most curricula have favoured a competency-based approach over traditional apprenticeship models. Surgical simulation can be a useful aide in the training of both oncological and reconstructive breast surgery trainees. This review investigates the extent to which simulation of breast surgery procedures has been validated as a training tool.

A comprehensive literature search for studies evaluating the objective validity of breast surgery simulators was performed, using MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases. Studies assessing construct, concurrent or predictive validity were included, as well as those demonstrating skill acquisition.

The initial literature search returned 1,625 hits, with only five articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Simulators were designed to train procedures such as breast augmentation, lesion biopsy and excision. Of these, breast biopsy was the most simulated procedure (three studies). Two studies evaluated animal models, two evaluated synthetic models and one study assessed both a synthetic and animal model. Construct validity was confirmed in two studies, concurrent validity in one study and a learning curve demonstrated in another study. No association between experience and performance was seen in the remaining study. The quality of the evidence presented in each article was low due to numerous limitations. Despite the abundance of breast surgery simulators created for trainees, few have been objectively validated and they only cover a narrow range of breast procedures. Although early results are promising, further studies are required before routine use of simulators is considered in breast surgery curricula.