A First Reported Adjustable Breast Volume Simulator for Teaching Oncoplastic Surgery Marking: Adjustable Breast...

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Medical Simulation
• 3D Printing in Medicine

Background:

• Current oncoplastic surgery simulators lack anatomical variability, presenting fixed breast sizes that do not reflect real-world patient diversity.
• This limitation restricts training to specific techniques and may not adequately prepare surgeons for varied breast volumes, ptosis, or asymmetry.

Discussion:

• The Adjustable Breast Oncoplastic Surgery Simulator (ABOSS) is a novel, 3D-printed device designed to overcome the limitations of fixed-size simulators.
• ABOSS offers adjustable breast volumes and ptosis within a single model, providing a more realistic training experience for oncoplastic surgery marking.
• The simulator accurately mimics breast appearance and texture, facilitating effective practice for various breast sizes, degrees of ptosis, and asymmetric breast corrections.

Key Insights:

• ABOSS provides a cost-effective solution for surgical training, allowing practice on diverse breast anatomies using a single, adaptable model.
• The simulator enables targeted practice of marking techniques for both symmetrical and asymmetrical breast cases, improving surgical planning.
• This innovation enhances the fidelity of surgical simulation for oncoplastic procedures.

Outlook:

• Commercialization plans are underway for the Adjustable Breast Oncoplastic Surgery Simulator.
• Wider adoption of ABOSS could significantly improve the quality and accessibility of oncoplastic surgery training globally.
• Future iterations may incorporate further haptic feedback or integrated digital guidance systems.